Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$ (71,723)	$ (70,439)	$ (72,350)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(26,992)	(31,138)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes		(8,186)	(508)
Less: Net loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests		645	465
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(7,541)	(43)
Balance at end of period		(34,533)	(31,181)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation		4,408	319
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		675	(1,834)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(1,868)	861
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[1]	564	352
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(1,304)	1,213
Balance at end of period		(629)	(621)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		1,006	(464)
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(304)	(188)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(6,997)	(1,982)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		5,514	(1,643)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[2]	2,038	2,603
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		7,552	960
Balance at end of period		555	(1,022)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		(2,969)	885
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(1,098)	(1,402)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(39,036)	(40,040)
Amortization included in earnings, net of income taxes	[3]	1,920	2,425
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		1,920	2,425
Balance at end of period		(37,116)	(37,615)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on amortization included in net income		$ (881)	$ (1,257)

[1] Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecast purchases of tobacco is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 7 for additional information.

[2] Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the underlying debt or upon termination of the interest rate swap agreements prior to their scheduled maturity dates. See Note 7 for additional information.

[3] This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9 for additional information.