Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 141,007	$ 245,953
Accounts receivable, net	335,575	266,960
Advances to suppliers, net	160,616	167,400
Accounts receivable-unconsolidated affiliates	10,433	11,670
Inventories-at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	742,422	812,186
Other	48,647	52,952
Prepaid income taxes	18,661	13,514
Deferred income taxes	47,009	47,074
Other current assets	73,864	75,367
Total current assets	1,578,234	1,693,076
Property, plant and equipment
Land	14,851	16,036
Buildings	257,380	266,350
Machinery and equipment	555,316	532,824
Property, plant and equipment, total	827,547	815,210
Less accumulated depreciation	(510,844)	(485,723)
Property, plant and equipment, net	316,703	329,487
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,546	105,561
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	115,478	106,336
Deferred income taxes	18,177	30,073
Other noncurrent assets	99,729	106,507
Total other assets	332,930	348,477
Total assets	2,227,867	2,371,040
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable and overdrafts	149,291	177,013
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	213,014	259,576
Accounts payable-unconsolidated affiliates	4,154	6,464
Customer advances and deposits	8,426	107,858
Accrued compensation	30,201	30,097
Income taxes payable	12,265	18,991
Current portion of long-term obligations	95,000	15,000
Total current liabilities	512,351	614,999
Long-term obligations	320,193	414,764
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	102,858	96,888
Other long-term liabilities	50,213	69,886
Deferred income taxes	42,847	46,128
Total liabilities	1,028,462	1,242,665
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,240,503 shares issued and outstanding (24,325,228 at March 31, 2010)	191,608	195,001
Retained earnings	825,751	767,213
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(44,776)	(52,667)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,185,606	1,122,570
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	13,799	5,805
Total shareholders' equity	1,199,405	1,128,375
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,227,867	2,371,040
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock	213,023	213,023
Total shareholders' equity	$ 213,023	$ 213,023