Consolidated Statements Of Income And Retained Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Income And Retained Earnings
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 479,465		$ 538,916
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold	385,107		436,679
Selling, general and administrative expenses	61,578		60,183
Other income	(9,592)
Restructuring costs	6,859	[1]	949	[1]
Operating income	35,513		41,105
Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	(3,489)	[2]	378	[2]
Interest income	357		444
Interest expense	5,533		5,126
Income before income taxes and other items	26,848		36,801
Income taxes	9,526		12,383
Net income	17,322		24,418
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(1,434)		902
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	15,888		25,320
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock	(3,712)		(3,712)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	12,176		21,608
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
Basic	$ 0.52		$ 0.89
Diluted	$ 0.52		$ 0.87
Retained earnings - beginning of year	825,751		767,213
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	15,888		25,320
Cash dividends declared:
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock	(3,712)		(3,712)
Common stock (2011 - $0.48 per share; 2010 - $0.47 per share)	(11,189)		(11,347)
Repurchase of common stock - cost in excess of stated capital amount	(2,827)		(8,605)
Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units	(118)		(97)
Retained earnings - end of period	$ 823,793		$ 768,772

[1] Item is not included in segment operating income, but is included in consolidated operating income.

[2] Item is included in segment operating income, but not included in consolidated operating income.