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Contingent Liabilities and Environmental Reserves - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Jan. 31, 2015
Oct. 31, 2014
Site Contingency [Line Items]    
Environmental liability reserves $ 23.9us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent $ 24.7us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
Blending Facility in Chicago and Illinois [Member]    
Site Contingency [Line Items]    
Environmental liability reserves 13.7us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= gef_BlendingFacilityInChicagoAndIllinoisMember
13.7us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= gef_BlendingFacilityInChicagoAndIllinoisMember
European Drum Facilities [Member]    
Site Contingency [Line Items]    
Environmental liability reserves 6.0us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= gef_EuropeanDrumFacilitiesMember
6.8us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= gef_EuropeanDrumFacilitiesMember
Life Cycle Management and Recycling Facilities [Member]    
Site Contingency [Line Items]    
Environmental liability reserves 2.3us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= gef_LifeCycleManagementAndRecyclingFacilitiesMember
2.6us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= gef_LifeCycleManagementAndRecyclingFacilitiesMember
Other Facilities [Member]    
Site Contingency [Line Items]    
Environmental liability reserves $ 1.9us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= gef_OtherFacilitiesMember
$ 1.6us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= gef_OtherFacilitiesMember