Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$ (137,556)	$ (114,876)	$ (151,597)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation:
Balance at beginning of year		(42,923)	(40,101)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation		7,629	(5,136)
Less: Net (gain) loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests		79	1
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		7,708	(5,135)
Balance at end of period		(35,215)	(45,236)
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(12,226)	(376)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		571	(1,311)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[1]	5,399	21
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		5,970	(1,290)
Balance at end of period		(6,256)	(1,666)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		275	40
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(1,501)	(1)
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(27,402)	(934)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(3,138)	(12,052)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[2]	2,622	(1,380)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(516)	(13,432)
Balance at end of period		(27,918)	(14,366)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		835	3,203
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(697)	(47)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Balance at beginning of year		(69,046)	(54,280)
Amortization included in earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(381) and $(217))(3)	[3]	879	672
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		879	672
Balance at end of period		(68,167)	(53,608)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on amortization included in net income		$ (381)	$ (217)

[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 10 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 10 for additional information.

[3] This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 12 for additional information.