Consolidated Statements Of Income And Retained Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Income And Retained Earnings [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 672,420		$ 688,208		$ 1,792,911		$ 1,891,312
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold	525,315		534,164		1,432,022		1,501,757
Selling, general and administrative expenses	64,747		74,826		183,985		194,103
Other income	(11,111)	[1]	(19,368)	[1]	(20,703)	[1]	(19,368)	[1]
Restructuring and impairment costs	399	[1]	10,995	[1]	10,220	[1]	13,964	[1]
Charge for (reversal of) European Commission fines in Italy and Spain					49,091	[1]	(7,445)	[1]
Operating income	93,070		87,591		138,296		208,301
Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	1,072	[2]	(1,439)	[2]	(2,264)	[2]	953	[2]
Interest income	519		754		1,240		2,614
Interest expense	6,175		6,257		17,373		17,245
Income before income taxes and other items	88,486		80,649		119,899		194,623
Income taxes	26,884		23,064		48,972		58,837
Net income	61,602		57,585		70,927		135,786
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(3,149)		(5,287)		(4,625)		(6,337)
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	58,453		52,298		66,302		129,449
Dividends on Universal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock	(3,712)		(3,712)		(11,137)		(11,137)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	54,741		48,586		55,165		118,312
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
Basic	$ 2.36		$ 2.05		$ 2.38		$ 4.93
Diluted	$ 2.06		$ 1.82		$ 2.34		$ 4.46
Retained earnings - beginning of year					825,751		767,213
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	58,453		52,298		66,302		129,449
Cash dividends declared:
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock	(3,712)		(3,712)		(11,137)		(11,137)
Common stock (2011 - $1.45 per share; 2010 - $1.42 per share)					(33,555)		(33,891)
Repurchase of common stock - cost in excess of stated capital amount					(2,827)		(27,074)
Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units					(384)		(316)
Retained earnings - end of period	$ 844,150		$ 824,244		$ 844,150		$ 824,244

[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.