Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 93,795	$ 141,007	$ 61,781
Accounts receivable, net	322,690	335,575	221,053
Advances to suppliers, net	130,783	160,616	122,878
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	47,111	10,433	42,403
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	987,379	742,422	1,152,427
Other	60,871	48,647	66,183
Prepaid income taxes	20,493	18,661	14,062
Deferred income taxes	54,479	47,009	46,058
Other current assets	77,527	73,864	72,042
Total current assets	1,795,128	1,578,234	1,798,887
Property, plant and equipment
Land	14,186	14,851	15,740
Buildings	241,771	257,380	262,468
Machinery and equipment	537,693	555,316	535,480
Total property, plant and equipment	793,650	827,547	813,688
Less accumulated depreciation	(483,481)	(510,844)	(486,576)
Property, plant and equipment, net	310,169	316,703	327,112
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,461	99,546	105,409
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	113,745	115,478	95,494
Deferred income taxes	12,957	18,177	28,627
Other noncurrent assets	66,165	99,729	101,870
Total other assets	292,328	332,930	331,400
Total assets	2,397,625	2,227,867	2,457,399
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable and overdrafts	263,302	149,291	298,899
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	217,225	213,014	239,451
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	322	4,154	977
Customer advances and deposits	65,588	8,426	144,477
Accrued compensation	22,532	30,201	17,978
Income taxes payable	10,942	12,265	13,958
Current portion of long-term obligations	95,000	95,000	5,000
Total current liabilities	674,911	512,351	720,740
Long-term obligations	321,612	320,193	418,547
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	106,612	102,858	98,686
Other long-term liabilities	44,729	50,213	65,412
Deferred income taxes	45,036	42,847	38,627
Total liabilities	1,192,900	1,028,462	1,342,012
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,226,863 shares issued and outstanding (24,155,316 at June 30, 2010, and 23,240,503 at March 31, 2011)	192,590	191,608	194,960
Retained earnings	823,793	825,751	768,772
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(39,910)	(44,776)	(66,242)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,189,496	1,185,606	1,110,513
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	15,229	13,799	4,874
Total shareholders' equity	1,204,725	1,199,405	1,115,387
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,397,625	2,227,867	2,457,399
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	$ 213,023