Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$ (114,876)	$ (73,048)	$ (95,691)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation:
Balance at beginning of year		(40,101)	(23,942)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation		(5,136)	(11,687)
Less: Net (gain) loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests		1	264
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(5,135)	(11,423)
Balance at end of period		(45,236)	(35,365)
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(376)	(35)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(1,311)	(5,076)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[1]	21	884
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(1,290)	(4,192)
Balance at end of period		(1,666)	(4,227)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		40	616
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(1)	(116)
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(934)	6,528
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(12,052)	2,113
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[2]	(1,380)	(578)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(13,432)	1,535
Balance at end of period		(14,366)	8,063
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		3,203	(562)
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(47)	154
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Balance at beginning of year		(54,280)	(42,615)
Amortization included in earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(217) and $(294) (3)	[3]	672	1,096
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		672	1,096
Balance at end of period		(53,608)	(41,519)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on amortization included in net income		$ (217)	$ (294)

[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 8 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 as amortized to interest expense over the period to original maturity for terminated swap agreements. See Note 8 for additional information.

[3] This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 10 for additional information.