Operating Segments (Operating Results For The Company's Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				21 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 672,420		$ 688,208		$ 1,792,911		$ 1,891,312
Deduct: Equity in pretax (earnings) loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(1,072)	[1]	1,439	[1]	2,264	[1]	(953)	[1]
Restructuring and impairment costs	(399)	[2]	(10,995)	[2]	(10,220)	[2]	(13,964)	[2]	(31,724)
Charge for (reversal of) European Commission fines in Italy and Spain					(49,091)	[2]	7,445	[2]
Add: Other income	11,111	[2]	19,368	[2]	20,703	[2]	19,368	[2]
Operating income	93,070		87,591		138,296		208,301
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	83,430		77,779		174,640		196,405
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	639,219		630,640		1,659,376		1,712,316
Operating income	82,616		74,313		170,596		180,913
Other Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	33,201	[3]	57,568	[3]	133,535	[3]	178,996	[3]
Operating income	814	[3]	3,466	[3]	4,044	[3]	15,492	[3]
North America [Member] | Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	109,743		124,072		236,101		243,990
Operating income	13,234		26,693		23,864		42,383
Other Regions [Member] | Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	529,476	[4]	506,568	[4]	1,423,275	[4]	1,468,326	[4]
Operating income	$ 69,382	[4]	$ 47,620	[4]	$ 146,732	[4]	$ 138,530	[4]

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

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

[3] 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.

[4] Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations.