Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries (Reconciliation Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance			$ 1,337,087
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance			42,791
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance	$ 1,352,078	$ 1,362,272	1,379,878	$ 1,385,302
Repurchase of common stock	(1,800)	0	(2,974)	(397)
Accrual of stock-based compensation	959	1,552	3,687	5,750
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (RSUs, and PSAs)	0	(1)	(2,883)	(2,657)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	253	186	497	371
Net income (loss) attributable to parent	28,077	31,446	30,149	44,625
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,670	2,847	493	728
Net (income) loss	29,747	34,293	30,642	45,353
Common stock dividends declared	(18,879)	(18,727)	(37,858)	(37,445)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings	(5,324)	0	(9,364)	(1,046)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	(253)	(186)	(497)	(371)
Adoption of FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 eliminating deferred income taxes on unrecognized gains on intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory			0	(1,934)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(14,839)	289	(19,186)	(13,248)
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest	(3,359)	(1,260)	(3,359)	(1,260)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,298,659	1,336,341	1,298,659	1,336,341
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	39,924	42,077	39,924	42,077
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,338,583	1,378,418	1,338,583	1,378,418
Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance	1,310,341	1,321,677	1,337,087	1,342,429
Repurchase of common stock	(1,800)	0	(2,974)	(397)
Accrual of stock-based compensation	959	1,552	3,687	5,750
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (RSUs, and PSAs)	0	(1)	(2,883)	(2,657)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	253	186	497	371
Net income (loss) attributable to parent	28,077	31,446	30,149	44,625
Common stock dividends declared	(18,879)	(18,727)	(37,858)	(37,445)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings	(5,324)	0	(9,364)	(1,046)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	(253)	(186)	(497)	(371)
Adoption of FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 eliminating deferred income taxes on unrecognized gains on intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory			0	(1,934)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to parent	(14,715)	394	(19,185)	(12,984)
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,298,659	1,336,341	1,298,659	1,336,341
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance	41,737	40,595	42,791	42,873
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0	0
Accrual of stock-based compensation	0	0	0	0
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (RSUs, and PSAs)	0	0	0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,670	2,847	493	728
Common stock dividends declared	0	0	0	0
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings	0	0	0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	0	0	0	0
Adoption of FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 eliminating deferred income taxes on unrecognized gains on intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(124)	(105)	(1)	(264)
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest	(3,359)	(1,260)	(3,359)	(1,260)
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	$ 39,924	$ 42,077	$ 39,924	$ 42,077