Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 45,505	$ 141,007	$ 43,816
Accounts receivable, net	378,406	335,575	315,290
Advances to suppliers, net	75,477	160,616	128,923
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	47,875	10,433	68,493
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	966,914	742,422	1,076,984
Other	73,048	48,647	64,792
Prepaid income taxes	17,777	18,661	11,075
Deferred income taxes	69,905	47,009	47,342
Other current assets	70,444	73,864	74,227
Total current assets	1,745,351	1,578,234	1,830,942
Property, plant and equipment
Land	13,986	14,851	15,866
Buildings	239,325	257,380	266,298
Machinery and equipment	530,982	555,316	551,551
Total property, plant and equipment	784,293	827,547	833,715
Less accumulated depreciation	(479,882)	(510,844)	(503,859)
Property, plant and equipment, net	304,411	316,703	329,856
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,365	99,546	105,444
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	88,217	115,478	107,588
Deferred income taxes	14,879	18,177	30,177
Other noncurrent assets	51,416	99,729	90,431
Total other assets	253,877	332,930	333,640
Total assets	2,303,639	2,227,867	2,494,438
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable and overdrafts	288,444	149,291	372,727
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	198,942	213,014	214,339
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	2,607	4,154	140
Customer advances and deposits	56,332	8,426	86,628
Accrued compensation	17,526	30,201	17,559
Income taxes payable	9,294	12,265	15,656
Current portion of long-term obligations	10,000	95,000	100,000
Total current liabilities	583,145	512,351	807,049
Long-term obligations	300,000	320,193	326,466
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	105,546	102,858	100,899
Other long-term liabilities	88,232	50,213	52,936
Deferred income taxes	58,576	42,847	45,459
Total liabilities	1,135,499	1,028,462	1,332,809
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,230,486 shares issued and outstanding (23,908,085 at September 30, 2010, and 23,240,503 at March 31, 2011)	193,644	191,608	194,523
Retained earnings	800,763	825,751	798,269
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(54,519)	(44,776)	(51,122)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,152,911	1,185,606	1,154,693
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	15,229	13,799	6,936
Total shareholders' equity	1,168,140	1,199,405	1,161,629
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,303,639	2,227,867	2,494,438
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