Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 152,368	$ 141,007	$ 91,427
Accounts receivable, net	406,541	335,575	292,490
Advances to suppliers, net	94,732	160,616	132,815
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	912	10,433	35,978
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	862,991	742,422	940,168
Other	57,261	48,647	50,551
Prepaid income taxes	13,661	18,661	8,633
Deferred income taxes	52,766	47,009	43,669
Other current assets	71,121	73,864	65,784
Total current assets	1,712,353	1,578,234	1,661,515
Property, plant and equipment
Land	16,976	14,851	15,490
Buildings	225,010	257,380	265,390
Machinery and equipment	531,183	555,316	552,575
Total property, plant and equipment	773,169	827,547	833,455
Less accumulated depreciation	(469,414)	(510,844)	(512,413)
Property, plant and equipment, net	303,755	316,703	321,042
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,293	99,546	99,602
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	84,306	115,478	103,821
Deferred income taxes	13,683	18,177	36,373
Other noncurrent assets	56,249	99,729	96,493
Total other assets	253,531	332,930	336,289
Total assets	2,269,639	2,227,867	2,318,846
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable and overdrafts	130,165	149,291	204,769
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	199,408	213,014	180,054
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	7,207	4,154	15,355
Customer advances and deposits	45,061	8,426	87,934
Accrued compensation	20,638	30,201	19,029
Income taxes payable	12,085	12,265	11,901
Current portion of long-term obligations	15,000	95,000	95,000
Total current liabilities	429,564	512,351	614,042
Long-term obligations	395,000	320,193	322,486
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	100,690	102,858	100,719
Other long-term liabilities	87,147	50,213	47,661
Deferred income taxes	49,179	42,847	44,963
Total liabilities	1,061,580	1,028,462	1,129,871
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,245,254 shares issued and outstanding (23,569,443 at December 31, 2010, and 23,240,503 at March 31, 2011)	194,806	191,608	193,263
Retained earnings	844,150	825,751	824,244
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(62,152)	(44,776)	(53,670)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,189,827	1,185,606	1,176,860
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	18,232	13,799	12,115
Total shareholders' equity	1,208,059	1,199,405	1,188,975
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,269,639	2,227,867	2,318,846
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