Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes		$ (3,066)	$ (16,316)	$ 14,162
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes		(14,766)	(11,665)	2,613
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period		(151,597)	(95,691)	(60,064)
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(11,850)	(341)	223
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(26,468)	(7,462)	4,498
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(40,101)	(23,942)	(33,138)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes		(3,066)	(16,316)	14,162
Less: Net loss (gain) on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests		244	157	372
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(2,822)	(16,159)	14,534
Reclassification of Tax Effects out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	[1]	0	0	(5,338)
Balance at end of period		(42,923)	(40,101)	(23,942)
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Reclassification of Tax Effects out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	[1]	0	0	(5,338)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]
Reclassification of Tax Effects out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	[1]	0	0	(5,338)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation		180	0	(5,806)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(376)	(35)	(258)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(12,391)	(6,490)	1,416
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[2]	541	6,149	(1,193)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(11,850)	(341)	223
Balance at end of period		(12,226)	(376)	(35)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		2,880	602	(944)
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		136	(640)	827
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]
Reclassification of Tax Effects out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	[1]	0	0	632
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(934)	6,528	1,398
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(25,588)	(5,922)	3,687
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[3]	(880)	(1,540)	811
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(26,468)	(7,462)	4,498
Reclassification of Tax Effects out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	[1]	0	0	632
Balance at end of period		(27,402)	(934)	6,528
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]
Reclassification of Tax Effects out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	[1]	0	0	632
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		6,801	1,574	(1,182)
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		234	409	(433)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]
Reclassification of Tax Effects out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	[1]	0	0	(7,667)
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Reclassification of Tax Effects out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	[1]	0	0	(7,667)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(54,280)	(42,615)	(37,561)
Gains arising during period, net of income taxes	[4]	(16,810)	(13,927)	295
Amortization included in earnings, net of income taxes	[5]	2,044	2,262	2,318
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes		(14,766)	(11,665)	2,613
Reclassification of Tax Effects out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	[1]	0	0	(7,667)
Balance at end of period		(69,046)	(54,280)	(42,615)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on losses (gains) arising during the period		4,715	4,073	(527)
Taxes on amortization included in net income		$ (554)	$ (628)	$ (933)

[1] In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update 2018-02, which addressed the disproportionate income tax effects on pretax amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) arising from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. With the adoption of ASU 2018-02, the disproportionate tax effects were reclassified to retained earnings, and the resulting tax effects remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reflective of the rates which those amounts will ultimately be taxed.

[2] 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 11 for additional information.

[3] 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 debt for open interest rate swap agreements, or as amortized to interest expense over the period to original maturity for terminated swap agreements. See Note 11 for additional information.

[4] These items arise from the remeasurement of the assets and liabilities of the Company's defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Those remeasurements are made on an annual basis at the end of the fiscal year. See Note 13 for additional information.

[5] This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 13 for additional information.