Consolidated Statements Of Income And Retained Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Income And Retained Earnings [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 641,026	[1]	$ 664,188	[1]	$ 1,120,491	[1]	$ 1,203,104	[1]
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold	521,600		530,914		906,707		967,593
Selling, general and administrative expenses	57,660		59,094		119,238		119,277
Other income					(9,592)	[2]
Restructuring costs	2,962	[2]	2,020	[2]	9,821	[2]	2,969	[2]
Charge for (reversal of) European Commission fines in Italy and Spain	49,091	[2]	(7,445)	[2]	49,091	[2]	(7,445)	[2]
Operating income	9,713		79,605		45,226		120,710
Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	153	[3]	2,014	[3]	(3,336)	[3]	2,392	[3]
Interest income	364		1,416		721		1,860
Interest expense	5,665		5,862		11,198		10,988
Income before income taxes and other items	4,565		77,173		31,413		113,974
Income taxes	12,562		23,390		22,088		35,773
Net income (loss)	(7,997)		53,783		9,325		78,201
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(42)		(1,952)		(1,476)		(1,050)
Net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation	(8,039)		51,831		7,849		77,151
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock	(3,713)		(3,713)		(7,425)		(7,425)
Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	(11,752)		48,118		424		69,726
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
Basic	$ (0.51)		$ 2.00		$ 0.02		$ 2.89
Diluted	$ (0.51)		$ 1.78		$ 0.02		$ 2.65
Retained earnings - beginning of year					825,751		767,213
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	(8,039)		51,831		7,849		77,151
Cash dividends declared:
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock	(3,713)		(3,713)		(7,425)		(7,425)
Common stock (2011 - $0.96 per share; 2010 - $0.94 per share)					(22,338)		(22,583)
Repurchase of common stock - cost in excess of stated capital amount					(2,827)		(15,885)
Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units					(247)		(202)
Retained earnings - end of period	$ 800,763		$ 798,269		$ 800,763		$ 798,269

[1] Includes Dark Air-Cured, Special Services, and Oriental, as well as inter-company eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues for this reportable segment include limited amounts for Oriental because its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of an unconsolidated affiliate.

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

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