Universal (UVV) 10-K23 May 142014 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	20-May-14	Sep. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000102037	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--03-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	23,223,810	'
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$948
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Inc

Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'		'		'
Sales and other operating revenues	$2,542,115		$2,461,699		$2,446,877
Costs and expenses	'		'		'
Cost of goods sold	2,108,824		1,999,282		1,974,885
Selling, general and administrative expenses	262,013		235,295		251,639
Other income	-81,619	[1]	0	[1]	-20,703	[1]
Restructuring costs	6,746		4,113		11,661
Charge for European Commission fine in Italy	0	[2]	0	[2]	49,091	[2]
Operating income	246,151		223,009		180,304
Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	3,897	[3]	5,635	[3]	3,195	[3]
Interest income	949		654		1,314
Interest expense	20,307		22,013		22,835
Income before income taxes	230,690		207,285		161,978
Income taxes	75,535		66,366		61,159
Net income	155,155		140,919		100,819
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	-6,146		-8,169		-8,762
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	149,009		132,750		92,057
Dividends on Universal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock	-14,850		-14,850		-14,850
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$134,159		$117,900		$77,207
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:	'		'		'
Basic	$5.77		$5.05		$3.32
Diluted	$5.25		$4.66		$3.25
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'		'		'
Basic	23,239		23,355		23,228
Diluted	28,392		28,478		28,339

[1]	Other income in fiscal year 2014 represents the gain on the favorable outcome of the IPI tax credit case in Brazil (See Note 14). Other income in fiscal year 2012 represents a gain on proceeds received from an insurance settlement for the replacement of factory and equipment lost in a fire at a plant in Europe, as well as a gain on the sale of land and buildings in Brazil. These gains are excluded from segment operating income, but included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.
[2]	Restructuring costs and the fiscal year 2012 charge for European Commission fines are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.
[3]	Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net income	$155,155	$140,919	$100,819
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	6,480	-3,370	-8,158
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes	32,022	8,803	-23,195
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	40,609	5,156	-35,504
Total comprehensive income	195,764	146,075	65,315
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-5,547	-8,504	-8,843
Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation	190,217	137,571	56,472
Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes [Member]	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Hedges, net of income taxes	1,624	87	-3,424
Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes [Member]	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Hedges, net of income taxes	$483	($364)	($727)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$163,532	$367,864
Accounts receivable, net	468,015	401,747
Advances to suppliers, net	134,621	132,100
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	7,375	555
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:	'	'
Tobacco	639,812	623,377
Other	67,219	57,745
Prepaid income taxes	27,866	6,245
Deferred income taxes	22,052	32,127
Other current assets	142,755	124,213
Total current assets	1,673,247	1,745,973
Property, plant and equipment	'	'
Land	17,275	17,125
Buildings	239,913	234,694
Machinery and equipment	562,597	545,478
Total property, plant and equipment	819,785	797,297
Less accumulated depreciation	-523,239	-509,829
Property, plant and equipment, net	296,546	287,468
Other assets	'	'
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,453	99,048
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	95,305	94,405
Deferred income taxes	14,562	23,783
Other noncurrent assets	91,794	55,478
Total other assets	301,114	272,714
Total assets	2,270,907	2,306,155
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]	'	'
Notes payable and overdrafts	62,905	105,318
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	212,422	225,648
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	65	4,739
Customer advances and deposits	15,869	24,914
Accrued compensation	31,772	36,694
Income taxes payable	15,694	14,034
Current portion of long-term obligations	116,250	211,250
Total current liabilities	454,977	622,597
Long-term obligations	240,000	181,250
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	85,081	135,629
Other long-term liabilities	34,457	36,838
Deferred income taxes	45,500	42,184
Total liabilities	860,015	1,018,498
Shareholders' equity	'	'
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,216,312 shares issued and outstanding (23,343,973 at March 31, 2013)	206,446	202,579
Retained earnings	993,093	918,509
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-34,332	-75,540
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,378,230	1,258,571
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	32,662	29,086
Total shareholders' equity	1,410,892	1,287,657
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,270,907	2,306,155
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
Total shareholders' equity	$213,023	$213,023

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	'
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	23,216,312	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	23,216,312	23,343,973
Common stock, shares outstanding	23,216,312	23,343,973
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	220,000	220,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	219,999	219,999
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	219,999	219,999

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'		'		'
Net income	$155,155		$140,919		$100,819
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'		'		'
Depreciation	37,257		43,408		42,158
Amortization	1,642		1,708		1,708
Provisions for losses on advances and guaranteed loans to suppliers	6,705		1,623		11,930
Inventory write-downs	7,654		1,523		8,324
Stock-based compensation expense	6,278		6,171		5,987
Foreign currency remeasurement loss (gain), net	14,322		-10,579		2,253
Deferred income taxes	-2,176		11,794		6,770
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends	3,420		-4,966		14,658
Gain on favorable outcome of excise tax case in Brazil	-81,619		0		0
Gain on fire loss insurance settlement	0		0		-9,592
Gain on sale of property in Brazil	0		0		-11,111
Restructuring costs	6,746		4,113		11,661
Charge for European Commission fine in Italy	0	[1]	0	[1]	49,091	[1]
Other, net	2,251		-1,174		1,719
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:	'		'		'
Accounts and notes receivable	-89,536		-5,433		-25,480
Inventories and other assets	-47,492		6,578		31,907
Income taxes	11,391		18,111		-1,535
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-27,345		11,167		-53,487
Customer advances and deposits	-8,156		9,503		12,006
Net cash provided by operating activities	-3,503		234,466		199,786
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'		'		'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-45,849		-30,783		-38,174
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,746		3,534		18,366
Proceeds from fire loss insurance settlement	0		0		9,933
Other, net	1,033		1,004		0
Net cash used by investing activities	-42,070		-26,245		-9,875
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'		'		'
Repayment of short-term debt, net	-43,727		-18,374		-17,388
Issuance of long-term obligations	175,000		0		100,000
Repayment of long-term obligations	-211,250		-16,250		-96,250
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	-1,971		-1,957		-103
Issuance of common stock	457		3,949		134
Repurchase of common stock	-14,145		-8,481		-4,004
Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock	-14,850		-14,850		-14,850
Dividends paid on common stock	-46,721		-45,996		-44,711
Proceeds from termination of interest rate swap agreements	0		0		13,388
Debt issuance costs and other	-875		0		-3,539
Net cash used by financing activities	-158,082		-101,959		-67,323
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-677		-97		-1,896
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-204,332		106,165		120,692
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	367,864		261,699		141,007
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	163,532		367,864		261,699
Supplemental information - cash paid for:	'		'		'
Interest	25,116		22,027		20,462
Income taxes, net of refunds	$65,511		$35,913		$51,625

[1]	Restructuring costs and the fiscal year 2012 charge for European Commission fines are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member]	Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member]	Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]	Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total		Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Balance at beginning of year at Mar. 31, 2011	$1,199,405	$213,023	$191,608	$825,751	($44,776)	$13,799	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2011	'	'	23,240,503	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2011	'	219,999	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in preferred and common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	259	'	259	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-661	'	-661	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of stock, shares	'	0	96,863	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of stock, shares	'	0	-80,191	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrual of stock-based compensation	5,987	'	5,987	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes	-1,584	'	-1,584	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	526	'	526	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in retained earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	100,819	'	'	92,057	'	8,762	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock ($67.50 per share)	-14,850	'	'	-14,850	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock	-44,951	'	'	-44,951	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-2,827	'	'	-2,827	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	-526	'	'	-526	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	-8,158	'	'	'	-8,239	81	'	'	'	'
Hedges, net of income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,424	-3,424	-727	-727
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes	-23,195	'	'	'	-23,195	'	'	'	'	'
Other changes in noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders	-103	'	'	'	'	-103	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of year at Mar. 31, 2012	1,205,990	213,023	196,135	854,654	-80,361	22,539	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2012	'	'	23,257,175	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2012	'	219,999	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in preferred and common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	3,949	'	3,949	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-1,432	'	-1,432	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of stock, shares	'	0	256,230	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of stock, shares	'	0	-169,432	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrual of stock-based compensation	6,171	'	6,171	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes	-2,819	'	-2,819	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	575	'	575	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in retained earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	140,919	'	'	132,750	'	8,169	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock ($67.50 per share)	-14,850	'	'	-14,850	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock	-46,272	'	'	-46,272	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-7,198	'	'	-7,198	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	-575	'	'	-575	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	-3,370	'	'	'	-3,705	335	'	'	'	'
Hedges, net of income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	87	87	-364	-364
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes	8,803	'	'	'	8,803	'	'	'	'	'
Other changes in noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders	-1,957	'	'	'	'	-1,957	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of year at Mar. 31, 2013	1,287,657	213,023	202,579	918,509	-75,540	29,086	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2013	'	'	23,343,973	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2013	'	219,999	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in preferred and common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	457	'	457	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-2,049	'	-2,049	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of stock, shares	'	0	110,825	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of stock, shares	'	0	-238,486	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrual of stock-based compensation	6,278	'	6,278	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes	-1,410	'	-1,410	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	591	'	591	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in retained earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	155,155	'	'	149,009	'	6,146	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock ($67.50 per share)	-14,850	'	'	-14,850	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock	-46,888	'	'	-46,888	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-12,096	'	'	-12,096	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	-591	'	'	-591	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	6,480	'	'	'	7,079	-599	'	'	'	'
Hedges, net of income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,624	1,624	483	483
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes	32,022	'	'	'	32,022	'	'	'	'	'
Other changes in noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders	-1,971	'	'	'	'	-1,971	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of year at Mar. 31, 2014	$1,410,892	$213,023	$206,446	$993,093	($34,332)	$32,662	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2014	23,216,312	'	23,216,312	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2014	'	219,999	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock, cash dividends declared per share	$16.87	$16.88	$16.87	$16.88	$16.87	$16.88	$16.87	$16.88	$67.50	$67.50	$67.50
Common stock, cash dividends declared per share	$0.51	$0.51	$0.50	$0.50	$0.50	$0.50	$0.49	$0.49	$2.02	$1.98	$1.94

Nature_Of_Operations_And_Signi

Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

Universal Corporation, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as “Universal” or the “Company,” is the leading global leaf tobacco merchant and processor. The Company conducts business in over 30 countries, primarily in major tobacco-producing regions of the world.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Corporation and all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains a controlling financial interest. Control is generally determined based on a voting interest of greater than 50%, such that Universal controls all significant corporate activities of the subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

The equity method of accounting is used for investments in companies where Universal Corporation has a voting interest of 20% to 50%. These investments are accounted for under the equity method because Universal exercises significant influence over those companies, but not control. Investments where Universal has a voting interest of less than 20% are not significant and are accounted for under the cost method. Under the cost method, the Company recognizes earnings upon its receipt of dividends to the extent they represent a distribution of retained earnings. The Company received dividends totaling $6.5 million in fiscal year 2014 and $16.7 million in fiscal year 2012, from companies accounted for under the equity method. No significant dividends were received from those companies in fiscal year 2013.

The Company's 49% ownership interest in Socotab L.L.C. (“Socotab”), a leading processor and leaf merchant of oriental tobaccos with operations located principally in Europe, is the primary investment accounted for under the equity method. The investment in Socotab is an important part of the Company's overall product and service arrangements with its major customers. Over the past several years, Socotab has experienced reduced demand for oriental tobaccos and lower margins, which have reduced its operating profits. As discussed further below, the Company reviews the carrying value of its investments in unconsolidated affiliates on a regular basis and considers whether any factors exist that might indicate an impairment in value that is other than temporary. At March 31, 2014, the Company determined that no such factors existed with respect to the investment in Socotab. The Company, together with Socotab management, regularly evaluates the outlook for the business, and an impairment charge could be recorded in a future period if it is determined that the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value and the decline in value is not temporary.

In fiscal year 2006, the Company deconsolidated its operations in Zimbabwe under accounting requirements that apply under certain conditions to foreign subsidiaries that are subject to foreign exchange controls and other government restrictions. Since that time, the investment has been accounted for using the cost method, as required under the accounting guidance. The investment in the Zimbabwe operations was zero at March 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company has a net foreign currency translation loss associated with the Zimbabwe operations of approximately $7.2 million, which remains a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. As a regular part of its reporting, the Company reviews the conditions that resulted in the deconsolidation of the Zimbabwe operations to confirm that such accounting treatment is still appropriate. Dividends from the Zimbabwe operations are recorded in income in the period received.

The Company holds less than a 100% financial interest in certain consolidated subsidiaries. The net income and shareholders’ equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests in these subsidiaries are reported on the face of the consolidated financial statements. During fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, there were no changes in the Company’s ownership percentage in any of these subsidiaries.

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

The Company’s equity method investments and its cost method investments, which include its Zimbabwe operations, are non-marketable securities. Universal reviews such investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment may not be recovered. For example, the Company would review such an investment for impairment if the investee were to lose a significant customer, suffer a large reduction in sales margins, experience a major change in its business environment, or undergo any other significant change in its normal business. In assessing the recoverability of equity or cost method investments, the Company follows the applicable accounting guidance in determining the fair value of the investments. In most cases, this involves the use of discounted cash flow models (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under the accounting guidance). If the fair value of an equity or cost method investee is determined to be lower than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized. The determination of fair value using discounted cash flow models is normally not based on observable market data from independent sources and therefore requires significant management judgment with respect to estimates of future operating earnings and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. The use of different assumptions could increase or decrease estimated future operating cash flows, and the discounted value of those cash flows, and therefore could increase or decrease any impairment charge related to these investments.

In its consolidated statements of income, the Company reports its proportionate share of earnings of unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method based on the pretax earnings of those affiliates, as permitted under the applicable accounting guidance. All applicable foreign and U.S. income taxes are provided on these earnings and reported as a component of consolidated income tax expense. For unconsolidated affiliates located in foreign jurisdictions, repatriation of the Company’s share of the earnings through dividends is assumed in determining consolidated income tax expense.

The following table provides a reconciliation of (1) equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, as reported in the consolidated statements of income to (2) equity in the net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends, as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

2014

2013

2012

Equity in pretax earnings reported in the consolidated statements of income

3,897

5,635

3,195

Less: Equity in income taxes

(809

)

(547

)

(1,130

)

Equity in net income

3,088

5,088

2,065

Less: Dividends received on investments (1)

(6,508

)

(122

)

(16,723

)

Equity in net income, net of dividends, reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows

(3,420

)

4,966

(14,658

)

(1)

In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method that represent a return on capital (i.e., a return of earnings on a cumulative basis) are presented as operating cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Earnings per Share

The Company calculates basic earnings per share based on earnings available to common shareholders after payment of dividends on the Company’s Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock. The calculation uses the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is computed in a similar manner using the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding. Dilutive potential common shares are outstanding dilutive stock options and stock appreciation rights that are assumed to be exercised, unvested restricted stock units and performance share awards that are assumed to be fully vested and paid out in shares of common stock, and shares of convertible perpetual preferred stock that are assumed to be converted when the effect is dilutive. In periods when the effect of the convertible perpetual preferred stock is dilutive and these shares are assumed to be converted into common stock, dividends paid on the preferred stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Calculations of earnings per share for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, are provided in Note 4.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are classified as cash equivalents.

Advances to Suppliers

In many sourcing origins where the Company operates, it provides agronomy services and seasonal advances of seed, fertilizer, and other supplies to tobacco farmers for crop production, or makes seasonal cash advances to farmers for the procurement of those inputs. These advances are short term, are repaid upon delivery of tobacco to the Company, and are reported in advances to suppliers in the consolidated balance sheets. In several origins, the Company has made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In some years, due to low crop yields and other factors, individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to fully repay their seasonal advances, and the Company may extend repayment of those advances into future crop years. The long-term portion of advances is included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Both the current and the long-term portions of advances to suppliers are reported net of allowances recorded when the Company determines that amounts outstanding are not likely to be collected. Short-term and long-term advances to suppliers totaled $190.0 million at March 31, 2014 and $199.1 million at March 31, 2013. The related valuation allowances totaled $46.1 million at March 31, 2014, and $54.4 million at March 31, 2013, and were estimated based on the Company’s historical loss information and crop projections. The allowances were increased by net provisions for estimated uncollectible amounts of approximately $5.5 million in fiscal year 2014, $1.6 million in fiscal year 2013, and $11.9 million in fiscal year 2012. These provisions are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Interest on advances is recognized in earnings upon the farmers’ delivery of tobacco in payment of principal and interest. Advances on which interest accrual had been discontinued totaled approximately $23.0 million at March 31, 2014, and $40.0 million at March 31, 2013.

Inventories

Tobacco inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Raw materials primarily consist of unprocessed leaf tobacco, which is clearly identified by type and grade at the time of purchase. The Company tracks the costs associated with this tobacco in the final product lots, and maintains this identification through the time of sale. This method of cost accounting is referred to as the specific cost or specific identification method. The predominant cost component of the Company’s inventories is the cost of the unprocessed tobacco. Direct and indirect processing costs related to these raw materials are capitalized and allocated to inventory in a systematic manner. The Company does not capitalize any interest or sales-related costs in inventory. Freight costs are recorded in cost of goods sold. Other inventories consist primarily of seed, fertilizer, packing materials, and other supplies, and are valued principally at the lower of average cost or market.

Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits

In many foreign countries, the Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) on purchases of unprocessed and processed tobacco, crop inputs, packing materials, and various other goods and services. In some countries, VAT is a national tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level. Items subject to VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as do the rates at which the tax is assessed. When tobacco is sold to customers in the country of origin, the operating subsidiaries generally collect VAT on those sales. The subsidiaries are normally permitted to offset their VAT payments against the collections and remit only the incremental VAT collections to the tax authorities. When tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed. In countries where tobacco sales are predominately for export markets, VAT collections generated on downstream sales are often not sufficient to fully offset the subsidiaries’ VAT payments. In those situations, unused VAT credits can accumulate. Some jurisdictions have procedures that allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process often takes an extended period of time and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected in part on technical grounds. Other jurisdictions may permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although approval for such transactions must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred are usually imposed, and the proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits. Due to these factors, local operating subsidiaries in some countries can accumulate significant balances of VAT credits over time. The Company reviews these balances on a regular basis and records valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that are not expected to be recovered, as well as discounts anticipated on credits that are expected to be sold or transferred. At March 31, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate balance of recoverable tax credits held by the Company’s subsidiaries totaled approximately $66 million and $73 million, respectively, and the related valuation allowances totaled approximately $30 million and $26 million, respectively. The net balances are reported in other current assets and other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

In June 2011, tax authorities in Brazil completed an audit of inter-state VAT filings by the Company’s operating subsidiary there and issued assessments for tax, penalties, and interest for tax periods from 2006 through 2009 totaling approximately $21 million based on the exchange rate for the Brazilian currency at March 31, 2014. Management of the operating subsidiary and outside counsel believe that errors were made by the tax authorities in determining portions of the assessment and that various defenses support the subsidiary’s positions. Accordingly, the subsidiary took steps to contest the full amount of the assessment. As of March 31, 2014, a portion of the subsidiary’s arguments had been accepted, and the outstanding assessments had been reduced to approximately $16 million (at the March 31, 2014 exchange rate). The subsidiary is continuing to contest the full remaining amount of the assessment. While the range of reasonably possible loss is zero up to the full $16 million remaining assessment, based on the strength of the subsidiary's defenses, no loss within that range is considered probable at this time and no liability has been recorded at March 31, 2014.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Depreciation of plant and equipment is based upon historical cost and the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method. Buildings include tobacco processing and blending facilities, offices, and warehouses. Machinery and equipment consists of processing and packing machinery and transport, office, and computer equipment. Estimated useful lives range as follows: buildings—15 to 40 years; processing and packing machinery—3 to 11 years; transport equipment—3 to 10 years; and office and computer equipment—3 to 10 years. Where applicable, the Company capitalizes related interest costs during periods that property, plant and equipment are being constructed or made ready for service. No interest was capitalized in fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and other intangibles principally consist of the excess of the purchase price of acquired companies over the fair value of the net assets. Goodwill is carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Although Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350 (“ASC 350”) permits companies to base their initial assessments of potential goodwill impairment on qualitative factors, the Company elected to continue using a fair value measurement approach at March 31, 2014. This approach primarily involves the use of discounted cash flow models (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy in the accounting guidance). The calculations in these models are normally not based on observable market data from independent sources and therefore require significant management judgment with respect to estimates of future operating earnings and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. The use of different assumptions could increase or decrease estimated future operating cash flows, and the discounted value of those cash flows, which could increase or decrease any impairment charge related to goodwill.

Reporting units are distinct operating subsidiaries or groups of subsidiaries that typically compose the Company’s business in a specific country or location. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units based on the country or location to which a specific acquisition relates, or by allocation based on expected future cash flows if the acquisition relates to more than one country or location. The majority of the Company’s goodwill relates to its reporting unit in Brazil. No charges for goodwill impairment were recorded in fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events, changes in business conditions, or other circumstances provide an indication that such assets may be impaired. Potential impairment is initially assessed by comparing management’s undiscounted estimates of future cash flows from the use or disposition of the assets to their carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its fair value determined in accordance with the accounting guidance. In many cases, this involves the use of discounted cash flow models that are not based on observable market data from independent sources (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under the accounting guidance). No significant charges for impairment of long-lived assets were recorded during fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.

Income Taxes

The Company provides deferred income taxes on temporary differences between the book and tax basis of its assets and liabilities. Those differences arise principally from employee benefit accruals, depreciation, deferred compensation, undistributed earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, goodwill, and valuation allowances on farmer advances and value-added tax credits.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations, disclosed in Note 7, have been estimated using market prices where they are available and discounted cash flow models based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar classes of borrowers and borrowing arrangements. The carrying amount of all other assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments approximates fair value.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are used from time to time to reduce interest rate and foreign currency risk. The Company enters into such contracts only with counterparties of good standing. The credit exposure related to non-performance by the counterparties and the Company is considered in determining the fair values of the derivatives, and the effect is not material to the financial statements or operations of the Company. Additional disclosures related to the Company’s derivatives and hedging activities are provided in Note 9.

Translation and Remeasurement of Foreign Currencies

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries having the local currency as the functional currency are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates applicable to each reporting period for results of operations. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a separate component of comprehensive income or loss.

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries having the U.S. dollar as the functional currency, with certain transactions denominated in a local currency, are remeasured into U.S. dollars. The remeasurement of local currency amounts into U.S. dollars creates remeasurement gains and losses that are included in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expense. The Company recognized net remeasurement losses of $14.3 million in fiscal year 2014, net remeasurement gains of $10.6 million in fiscal year 2013, and net remeasurement losses of $2.3 million in fiscal year 2012.

Foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges generate gains and losses when they are settled or when they are marked to market under the prescribed accounting guidance. These transaction gains and losses are also included in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The Company recognized net foreign currency transaction losses of $6.0 million in fiscal year 2014, net transaction losses of $1.0 million in fiscal year 2013, and net transaction gains of $4.2 million in fiscal year 2012.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the sale of tobacco is recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred to the customer and the earnings process is complete. Substantially all sales revenue is recorded based on the physical transfer of products to customers. A large percentage of the Company’s sales are to major multinational manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. The Company works closely with those customers to understand and plan for their requirements for volumes, styles, and grades of leaf tobacco from its various growing regions, and extensive coordination is maintained on an ongoing basis to determine and satisfy their requirements for physical shipment of processed tobacco. In most cases, customers request shipment within a relatively short period of time after the tobacco is processed and packed. The customers also specify, in sales contracts and in shipping documents, the precise terms for transfer of title and risk of loss for the tobacco. Customer returns and rejections are not significant, and the Company’s sales history indicates that customer-specific acceptance provisions are consistently met upon transfer of title and risk of loss.

While most of the Company’s revenue consists of tobacco that is purchased from farmers, processed and packed in its factories, and then sold to customers, some revenue is earned from processing tobacco owned by customers. These arrangements usually exist in specific markets where the customers contract directly with farmers for leaf production, and they have accounted for less than 5% of total revenue on an annual basis through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. Processing and packing of leaf tobacco is a short-duration process. Under normal operating conditions, raw tobacco that is placed into the production line exits as processed and packed tobacco within one hour, and is then transported to customer-designated storage facilities. The revenue for these services is recognized when processing is completed, and the Company’s operating history indicates that customer requirements for processed tobacco are consistently met upon completion of processing.

Stock-Based Compensation

Share-based payments, such as grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance share awards, are measured at fair value and reported as expense in the financial statements over the requisite service period. Additional disclosures related to stock-based compensation are included in Note 13.

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounting Pronouncements

Effective April 1, 2013, Universal adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The new guidance requires companies to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income unless the amounts are not reclassified in their entirety to net income. For amounts that are not reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, companies are required to cross-reference other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. Since the new guidance requires additional disclosures only, it did not have any impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows, or financial position. The required disclosures are provided in Note 16.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Restructuring_Costs

Restructuring Costs	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Costs	'
	RESTRUCTURING COSTS
	During the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, Universal recorded restructuring costs related to various initiatives to adjust certain operations and reduce costs.
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014
	In fiscal year 2014, the Company's operating subsidiary in Brazil closed a factory and centralized all tobacco processing activities in its primary facility. In connection with this initiative, the Company incurred restructuring costs of approximately $4.0 million, including employee termination benefits, costs to relocate personnel and equipment to the main facility, and lease exit costs on the building that housed the closed operations. The remaining costs primarily related to voluntary early retirement arrangements at several locations around the Company. All of the fiscal year 2014 restructuring costs related to operations that are part of the Other Regions reportable segment of the Company's flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations.
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013
	During fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded restructuring costs totaling $4.1 million, primarily related to workforce reductions in one of the Company's operations in Africa. All of the restructuring costs incurred in fiscal year 2013 related to operations that are part of the Other Regions reportable segment of the Company's flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations.
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012
	During fiscal year 2012, the Company recorded restructuring costs totaling $11.7 million. A significant portion of those costs consisted of employee termination benefits associated with voluntary early retirement offers and involuntary separations at the Company’s headquarters and operating locations in the United States, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia that are part of the North America and Other Regions reportable segments. In addition, the Company recorded approximately $3.1 million in costs related to the termination of its business arrangements with a supplier and processor of tobacco in Europe in response to market changes. That cost related to an operating subsidiary that is part of the Other Regions reportable segment.
	A summary of the restructuring costs incurred during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 is as follows:


		Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012

	Employee termination benefits	$	3,743		$	4,113		$	8,564

	Other restructuring costs	3,003			—			3,097

	Total restructuring costs incurred	$	6,746		$	4,113		$	11,661

	A reconciliation of the Company’s liability for employee termination benefits and other restructuring costs for fiscal years 2012 through 2014 is as follows:


		Employee			Other Costs			Total
		Termination
		Benefits
	Balance at April 1, 2011	$	6,386		$	225		$	6,611

	Fiscal Year 2012 Activity:
	Costs charged to expense	8,564			3,097			11,661

	Payments	(13,679		)	(3,031		)	(16,710		)
	Balance at March 31, 2012	1,271			291			1,562

	Fiscal Year 2013 Activity:
	Costs charged to expense	4,113			—			4,113

	Payments	(5,002		)	(291		)	(5,293		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	382			—			382

	Fiscal Year 2014 Activity:
	Costs charged to expense	3,743			3,003			6,746

	Payments	(2,099		)	(2,843		)	(4,942		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	2,026		$	160		$	2,186

	The majority of the restructuring liability at March 31, 2014 will be paid in the early part of fiscal year 2015. Universal continually reviews its business for opportunities to realize efficiencies, reduce costs, and realign its operations in response to business changes. The Company may incur additional restructuring costs in future periods as business changes occur and additional cost savings initiatives are implemented.

European_Commission_Fines_And_

European Commission Fines And Other Legal And Tax Matters	12 Months Ended
European Commission Fines And Other Legal And Tax Matters	Mar. 31, 2014
European Commission Fines And Other Legal And Tax Matters [Abstract]	'
European Commission Fines And Other Legal And Tax Matters	'
	EUROPEAN COMMISSION FINES AND OTHER LEGAL AND TAX MATTERS
	European Commission Fines in Italy
	In 2002, the Company reported that it was aware that the European Commission (the "Commission") was investigating certain aspects of the leaf tobacco markets in Italy. One of the Company's subsidiaries, Deltafina, S.p.A. ("Deltafina"), buys and processes tobacco in Italy. The Company reported that it did not believe that the Commission investigation in Italy would result in penalties being assessed against it or its subsidiaries that would be material to the Company’s earnings. The reason the Company held this belief was that it had received conditional immunity from the Commission because Deltafina had voluntarily informed the Commission of the activities that were the basis of the investigation.
	On December 28, 2004, the Company received a preliminary indication that the Commission intended to revoke Deltafina’s immunity for disclosing in April 2002 that it had applied for immunity. Neither the Commission’s Leniency Notice of February 19, 2002, nor Deltafina’s letter of provisional immunity, contains a specific requirement of confidentiality. The potential for such disclosure was discussed with the Commission in March 2002, and the Commission never told Deltafina that disclosure would affect Deltafina’s immunity. On November 15, 2005, the Company received notification from the Commission that the Commission had imposed fines totaling €30 million on Deltafina and the Company jointly for infringing European Union antitrust law in connection with the purchase and processing of tobacco in the Italian raw tobacco market. In January 2006, the Company and Deltafina each filed appeals in the General Court of the European Union ("General Court"). Deltafina’s appeal was held on September 28, 2010. For strategic reasons related to the defense of the Deltafina appeal, Universal withdrew its appeal. On September 9, 2011, the General Court issued its decision, in which it rejected Deltafina’s application to reinstate immunity. Deltafina appealed the decision of the General Court to the European Court of Justice, and a hearing was held in November 2012. Effective with the September 9, 2011 General Court decision, the Company recorded a charge for the full amount of the fine (€30 million) plus accumulated interest (€5.9 million). The charge totaled $49.1 million at the exchange rate in effect on the date of the General Court decision. Deltafina maintains a bank guarantee in favor of the Commission in the amount of the fine plus accumulated interest in order to stay execution during the appeals process, and the Company has collateralized that guarantee with a bank deposit totaling approximately $53.3 million at March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2014, the accrued liability for the fine and interest was reported in other current liabilities, and the deposit was recorded in other current assets. Any fine and interest Deltafina may ultimately be required to pay would not be due until the European Court of Justice issues its decision. The Court has notified the Company that its decision on the appeal will be issued on June 12, 2014.
	Other Legal and Tax Matters
	In addition to the above-mentioned matter, various subsidiaries of the Company are involved in other litigation and tax examinations incidental to their business activities, including the assessments disclosed in Note 1 related to inter-state value added taxes in Brazil. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management is vigorously defending the matters and does not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or financial position. However, should one or more of these matters be resolved in a manner adverse to management’s current expectation, the effect on the Company’s results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Basic Earnings Per Share
	Numerator for basic earnings per share
	Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$	149,009		$	132,750		$	92,057

	Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	(14,850		)	(14,850		)	(14,850		)
	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for	134,159			117,900			77,207
	calculation of basic earnings per share

	Denominator for basic earnings per share
	Weighted average shares outstanding	23,239			23,355			23,228


	Basic earnings per share	$	5.77		$	5.05		$	3.32


	Diluted Earnings Per Share
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share
	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$	134,159		$	117,900		$	77,207

	Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)	14,850			14,850			14,850

	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for	149,009			132,750			92,057
	calculation of diluted earnings per share

	Denominator for diluted earnings per share
	Weighted average shares outstanding	23,239			23,355			23,228

	Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed)
	Convertible perpetual preferred stock	4,822			4,797			4,772

	Employee share-based awards	331			326			339

	Denominator for diluted earnings per share	28,392			28,478			28,339


	Diluted earnings per share	$	5.25		$	4.66		$	3.25

	For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company had the following potentially dilutive securities (stock appreciation rights and/or stock options) outstanding that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2013			2012			2011

	Potentially dilutive securities (shares in thousands)	169			169			348

	Weighted-average exercise price	$	62.66		$	62.66		$	56.75

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	INCOME TAXES
	Income Tax Expense
	Income taxes consisted of the following:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current
	United States	$	1,433			$	(3,465	)		$	2,871

	State and local	507				682				(2,064		)

	Foreign	75,770				57,355				53,582

		77,710				54,572				54,389

	Deferred
	United States	1,686				1,746				4,796

	State and local	275				279				444

	Foreign	(4,136		)		9,769				1,530

		(2,175		)		11,794				6,770

	Total	$	75,535			$	66,366			$	61,159

	Foreign taxes include U.S. tax expense on earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company has no undistributed earnings of consolidated foreign subsidiaries that are classified as permanently reinvested.
	Consolidated Effective Income Tax Rate
	A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Statutory tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit	0.2			0.3			(0.7	)

	Nondeductible European Commission fine	—			—			8.6

	Dividends received from deconsolidated operations	(0.9	)		(1.5	)		(1.8	)
	Other, including changes in liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions	(1.6	)		(1.8	)		(3.3	)
	Effective income tax rate	32.7	%		32	%		37.8	%
	The Company amended certain prior year state income tax returns during fiscal year 2012. The related income tax refunds reduced income tax expense and the consolidated effective tax rate for the year.
	Components of Income Before Income Taxes and Other Items
	The U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes and other items were as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	United States	$	9,156			$	(4,161	)		$	21,773

	Foreign	221,534				211,446				140,205

	Total	$	230,690			$	207,285			$	161,978

	Deferred Income Tax Liabilities and Assets
	Significant components of deferred tax liabilities and assets were as follows:


		March 31,
		2014				2013
	Liabilities
	Foreign withholding taxes	$	30,147			$	25,074

Undistributed earnings	23,865				32,346

Goodwill	30,851				30,851

All other	12,471				14,099

Total deferred tax liabilities	$	97,334			$	102,370


Assets
Employee benefit plans	$	40,816			$	60,397

Reserves and accruals	32,248				32,795

Deferred income	4,013				4,732

Deferred compensation	1,035				3,616

All other	7,784				12,292

Total deferred tax assets	85,896				113,832

Valuation allowance	(1,252		)		(1,252		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	84,644			$	112,580

At March 31, 2014, the Company had no material net operating loss carryforwards in either its domestic or foreign operations.
Combined Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
The combined income tax expense (benefit) allocable to continuing operations, other comprehensive income, and direct adjustments to shareholders' equity was as follows:


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	2014				2013				2012
Continuing operations	$	75,535			$	66,366			$	61,159

Other comprehensive income	22,190				2,600				(18,296		)

Direct adjustments to shareholders' equity	(972		)		(1,052		)		(285		)
Total	$	96,753			$	67,914			$	42,578


Uncertain Tax Positions
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the gross liability for uncertain tax positions for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, is as follows:


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	2014				2013				2012
Liability for uncertain tax positions, beginning of year	$	5,385			$	7,913			$	9,223

Additions:
Related to tax positions for the current year	194				191				262

Related to tax positions for prior years	168				—				1,072

Reductions:
Due to settlements with tax jurisdictions	—				(66		)		(698		)

Due to lapses of statutes of limitations	(1,776		)		(2,339		)		(1,213		)
Effect of currency rate movement	(162		)		(314		)		(733		)
Liability for uncertain tax positions, end of year	$	3,809			$	5,385			$	7,913

Of the total liability for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2014, approximately $2.8 million could have an effect on the consolidated effective tax rate if the tax benefits are recognized. The liability for uncertain tax positions includes $0.5 million related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amounts could change significantly before March 31, 2015. This amount reflects a possible decrease in the liability for uncertain tax positions that could result from the completion and resolution of tax audits and the expiration of open tax years in various tax jurisdictions.
The Company recognizes accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions as interest expense, and it recognizes penalties as a component of income tax expense. Amounts accrued or reversed for interest and penalties were not material for any of the fiscal years 2012 through 2014, and liabilities recorded for interest and penalties at March 31, 2014 and 2013 also were not material.
Universal and its subsidiaries file a U.S. federal consolidated income tax return, as well as returns in several U.S. states and a number of foreign jurisdictions. As of March 31, 2014, the Company's earliest open tax year for U.S. federal income tax purposes was its fiscal year ended 2011. Open tax years in state and foreign jurisdictions generally range from 3 to 6 years.

Credit_Facilities

Credit Facilities	12 Months Ended
Credit Facilities	Mar. 31, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]	'
Credit Facilities	'
	CREDIT FACILITIES
	Bank Credit Agreements
	During fiscal year 2012, the Company entered a five-year senior unsecured bank credit agreement that provides for a $450 million committed revolving credit facility, as well as a fully funded $100 million amortizing term loan. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the term loan bear interest at variable rates, based on either (1) LIBOR plus a margin that is based on certain credit measures or (2) the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, prime rate, or one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, each plus a margin; however, the Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements that convert the interest rate on the term loan portion of the facility to a fixed rate. The Company also pays a facility fee on the revolving credit facility. Both the revolving credit facility and the term loan mature in November 2016. There were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2014. During fiscal year 2014, the Company entered into a separate bank credit agreement that provides for a fully funded $175 million senior unsecured term loan. Additional information related to the term loans under both credit agreements, including the outstanding balances at March 31, 2014 and 2013, is disclosed in Note 7. The credit agreements include financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a minimum level of tangible net worth and observe limits on debt levels. The Company was in compliance with those covenants at March 31, 2014.
	Short-Term Credit Facilities
	The Company maintains short-term uncommitted lines of credit in the United States and in a number of foreign countries. Foreign borrowings are generally in the form of overdraft facilities at rates competitive in the countries in which the Company operates. Generally, each foreign line is available only for borrowings related to operations of a specific country. As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately $63 million and $105 million, respectively, were outstanding under these uncommitted lines of credit. The weighted-average interest rates on short-term borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and 2013, were approximately 3.5% and 3.8%, respectively. At March 31, 2014, the Company and its consolidated affiliates had unused uncommitted lines of credit totaling approximately $342 million.

LongTerm_Obligations

Long-Term Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	'
	LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
	The Company's long-term obligations at March 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:


		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Medium-term notes	$	100,000		$	300,000

	Senior bank term loan	175,000			—

	Amortizing senior bank term loan	81,250			92,500

	Total outstanding	356,250			392,500

	Less: current portion	(116,250		)	(211,250		)
	Long-term obligations	$	240,000		$	181,250

	During fiscal year 2014, the Company repaid at maturity its $200 million principal amount 5.2% medium term notes and subsequently entered into a new $175 million senior term loan agreement with a group of banks. The Company's remaining medium-term notes at March 31, 2014 bear interest at 6.25% and mature in December 2014. The senior bank term loan is unsecured, matures in October 2018, and provides for incremental term loans in an amount up to $75 million at the Company's option, subject to customary conditions. Loans outstanding under the agreement currently bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.50% (1.69% at March 31, 2014) and may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. As discussed in Note 6, the amortizing bank term loan was arranged in fiscal year 2012 under a bank credit agreement that included a revolving credit facility. The original amount of the amortizing term loan was $100 million, and it is being repaid in quarterly installments that began on March 31, 2012, increase annually, and conclude with a final payment due November 3, 2016. The amortizing term loan may be prepaid at any time without penalty or premium at the option of the Company. The interest rate swaps on the loan convert the floating LIBOR base rate to a fixed base rate. Including the effect of the swaps and the facility margin, the interest rate on the term loan was 2.91% at March 31, 2014. The swap agreements were designated as cash flow hedges of the variable rate interest payments on the loan. The aggregate notional amount of the swaps, which is being reduced as quarterly payments are made over the term of the loan, was $81.3 million at March 31, 2014, and $92.5 million at March 31, 2013. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements was a liability of $0.9 million at March 31, 2014. Additional disclosures related to the Company’s interest rate swap agreements are provided in Note 9.
	Maturities of long-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2014, by fiscal year, were as follows: 2015 – $116.3 million; 2016 – $27.5 million; 2017 – $37.5 million; 2018 – none; and 2019 – $175.0 million All long-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2014, is scheduled to be repaid by the end of fiscal year 2019.
	In November 2011, the Company filed an undenominated universal shelf registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to provide for the future issuance of an undefined amount of additional debt or equity securities as determined by the Company and offered in one or more prospectus supplements prior to issuance.
	Disclosures about the fair value of long-term obligations are provided in Note 10.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
Leases	Mar. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	LEASES
	The Company’s subsidiaries lease various production, storage, distribution, and other facilities, as well as vehicles and equipment used in their operations. Some of the leases have options to extend the lease term at market rates. These arrangements are classified as operating leases for accounting purposes. Rent expense on operating leases totaled $18.2 million in fiscal year 2014, $19.3 million in fiscal year 2013, and $20.6 million in fiscal year 2012. Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases total $12.1 million in 2015, $8.1 million in 2016, $6.3 million in 2017, $4.1 million in 2018, $3.2 million in 2019, and $4.5 million after 2019.

Derivatives_And_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives And Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives And Hedging Activities	'
	DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
	Universal is exposed to various risks in its worldwide operations and uses derivative financial instruments to manage two specific types of risks – interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. Interest rate risk has been managed by entering into interest rate swap agreements, and foreign currency exchange rate risk has been managed by entering into forward foreign currency exchange contracts. However, the Company’s policy also permits other types of derivative instruments. In addition, foreign currency exchange rate risk is also managed through strategies that do not involve derivative instruments, such as using local borrowings and other approaches to minimize net monetary positions in non-functional currencies. The disclosures below provide additional information about the Company’s hedging strategies, the derivative instruments used, and the effects of these activities on the consolidated statements of income and the consolidated balance sheets. In the consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flows associated with all of these activities are reported in net cash provided by operating activities. The Company has not hedged any net investment in the equity of subsidiaries denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
	Hedging Strategy for Interest Rate Risk
	Through part of fiscal year 2012, the Company had outstanding receive-fixed/pay-floating interest rate swap agreements totaling $245 million notional amount that were designated and qualified as hedges of the exposure to changes in the fair value of the underlying debt instruments created by fluctuations in prevailing market interest rates. During fiscal year 2012, several of those swap contracts in the notional amount of $50 million were settled on maturity of the underlying debt, and the remaining contracts in the total notional amount of $195 million were settled prior to maturity at an aggregate gain of approximately $13 million. That gain was amortized over the remaining terms of the underlying debt instruments as a reduction in interest expense. No fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements were outstanding at March 31, 2014.
	In November 2011, the Company entered into receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualify as hedges of the exposure to changes in interest payment cash flows created by fluctuations in variable interest rates on its outstanding amortizing bank term loan. Although no significant ineffectiveness is expected with this hedging strategy, the effectiveness of the interest rate swaps is evaluated on a quarterly basis. The aggregate notional amount of the interest rate swaps is being reduced over a five-year period as payments are made on the loan. At March 31, 2014, the total notional amount of the swaps was approximately $81.3 million, which corresponded with the outstanding balance of the loan.
	Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Forecast Purchases of Tobacco and Related Processing Costs
	The majority of the tobacco production in most countries outside the United States where Universal operates is sold in export markets at prices denominated in U.S. dollars. However, purchases of tobacco from farmers and most processing costs (such as labor and energy) in those countries are usually denominated in the local currency. Changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies where tobacco is grown and processed affect the ultimate U.S. dollar cost of the processed tobacco. From time to time, the Company has entered into forward contracts to sell U.S. dollars and buy the local currency at future dates that coincide with the expected timing of a portion of the tobacco purchases and processing costs. This strategy offsets the variability of future U.S. dollar cash flows for tobacco purchases and processing costs for the foreign currency notional amount hedged. This hedging strategy has been used mainly for tobacco purchases and processing costs in Brazil. The aggregate U.S. dollar notional amount of forward contracts entered for these purposes during fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 was as follows:


			Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	(in millions)		2014				2013				2012
	Tobacco purchases		$	126.1			$	158.9			$	182.5

	Processing costs		26.8				34.3				48.3

	Total		$	152.9			$	193.2			$	230.8

	All contracts related to tobacco purchases were designated and qualify as hedges of the future cash flows associated with the forecast purchases of tobacco. As a result, except for amounts related to any ineffective portion of the hedging strategy or any early de-designation of the hedge arrangement, changes in fair values of the forward contracts have been recognized in comprehensive income as they occurred, but only recognized in earnings upon sale of the related tobacco to third-party customers. Forward contracts related to processing costs have not been designated as hedges, and gains and losses on those contracts have been recognized in earnings on a mark-to-market basis.
	For substantially all hedge gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2014, the Company expects to complete the sale of the tobacco and recognize the amounts in earnings during fiscal year 2015. At March 31, 2014, all hedged forecast purchases of tobacco not yet completed remained probable of occurring within the originally designated time period and, as a result, no hedges had been discontinued. Purchases of the 2014 crop are expected to be completed by August 2014, and all forward contracts to hedge those purchases will mature and be settled by that time.
	Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Net Local Currency Monetary Assets and Liabilities of Foreign Subsidiaries
	Most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales in U.S. dollars and finance the majority of their operating requirements with U.S. dollar borrowings, and therefore use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. These subsidiaries normally have certain monetary assets and liabilities on their balance sheets that are denominated in the local currency. Those assets and liabilities can include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, advances to farmers and suppliers, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, recoverable value-added taxes, and other items. Net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in the local currency are remeasured into U.S. dollars each reporting period, generating gains and losses that the Company records in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The level of net monetary assets or liabilities denominated in the local currency normally fluctuates throughout the year based on the operating cycle, but it is most common for monetary assets to exceed monetary liabilities, sometimes by a significant amount. When this situation exists and the local currency weakens against the U.S. dollar, remeasurement losses are generated. Conversely, remeasurement gains are generated on a net monetary asset position when the local currency strengthens against the U.S. dollar. To manage a portion of its exposure to currency remeasurement gains and losses in Brazil during fiscal year 2014, the Company entered into forward contracts to sell the Brazilian currency and buy U.S. dollars at future dates coinciding with expected changes in the overall net local currency monetary asset position of the subsidiary. Gains and losses on the forward contracts are recorded in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses for each reporting period as they occur, and thus directly offset the related remeasurement losses or gains in the consolidated statements of income for the notional amount hedged. The Company does not designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. The contracts are arranged to hedge the subsidiary's projected exposure to currency remeasurement risk for specified periods of time, and new contracts are entered as necessary throughout the year to replace previous contracts as they mature. The aggregate notional amount of contracts entered during the fiscal year 2014 to hedge net monetary asset exposure in Brazil was approximately $189.5 million. No forward contracts were entered for this purpose in fiscal years 2013 or 2012. To further mitigate currency remeasurement exposure, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have obtained short-term local currency financing during certain periods. This strategy, while not involving the use of derivative instruments, is intended to minimize the subsidiary’s net monetary position by financing a portion of the local currency monetary assets with local currency monetary liabilities and thus hedging a portion of the overall position.
	Several of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales and finance the majority of their operating requirements in their local currency, and therefore use their respective local currencies as the functional currency for reporting purposes. From time to time, these subsidiaries sell tobacco to customers in transactions that are not denominated in the functional currency. In those situations, the subsidiaries routinely enter into forward exchange contracts to offset currency risk for the period of time that a fixed-price order and the related trade account receivable are outstanding with the customer. The contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
	Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
	The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s use of derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.


			Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Fair Value Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements
	Derivative
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings		$	—			$	—			$	3,195

	Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings		Interest expense
	Hedged Item
	Description of hedged item		Fixed rate long-term debt
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings		$	—			$	—			$	(3,195	)

	Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings		Interest expense

	Cash Flow Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements
	Derivative
	Effective Portion of Hedge
	Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss		$	(142	)		$	(1,470	)		$	(1,119	)
	Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings		$	(886	)		$	(910	)		$	—

	Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings		Interest expense
	Ineffective Portion of Hedge
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings		$	—			$	—			$	—

	Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings		Selling, general and administrative expenses
	Hedged Item
	Description of hedged item		Floating rate interest payments on term loan

	Cash Flow Hedges - Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
	Derivative
	Effective Portion of Hedge
	Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss		$	(1,635	)		$	(8,709	)		$	2,652

	Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive		$	(3,844	)		$	(8,741	)		$	5,882
	loss into earnings
	Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other		Cost of goods sold
	comprehensive loss into earnings
	Ineffective Portion and Early De-designation of Hedges
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings		$	(1,839	)		$	(1,325	)		$	857

Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings		Selling, general and administrative expenses
Hedged Item
Description of hedged item		Forecast purchases of tobacco in Brazil

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges -
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings		$	(6,609	)		$	(3,115	)		$	1,829

Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings		Selling, general and administrative expenses
For the interest rate swap agreements designated as fair value hedges, since the hedges had no ineffectiveness, the gain or loss recognized in earnings on the derivative was offset by a corresponding loss or gain on the underlying hedged debt. For the interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and any ineffective portion is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.
For the forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges of tobacco purchases in Brazil, a net hedge gain of approximately $1.4 million remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2014. That balance primarily reflects net gains on contracts related to the 2014 crop. No hedged purchases of 2014 crop tobaccos had been completed and no hedge loss had been reclassified to earnings at March 31, 2014. The majority of the balance in the accumulated other comprehensive loss will be recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold in fiscal year 2015 as the 2014 Brazilian crop tobacco is sold to customers. Based on the hedging strategy, as the gain or loss is recognized in earnings, it is expected to be offset by a change in the direct cost for the tobacco or by a change in sales prices if the strategy has been mandated by the customer. Generally, margins on the sale of the tobacco will not be significantly affected.
Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position										Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position
		Balance		Fair Value as of March 31,								Balance		Fair Value as of March 31,
		Sheet										Sheet
		Location		2014				2013				Location		2014		2013
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate swap agreements		Other		$	—			$	—			Other		$	936	$	1,679
		non-current										long-term
		assets										liabilities

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts		Other		1,731				—				Accounts		13		810
		current										payable and
		assets										accrued
												expenses
Total				$	1,731			$	—					$	949	$	2,489


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts		Other		$	343			$	—			Accounts		$	3,960	$	331
		current										payable and
		assets										accrued
												expenses
Total				$	343			$	—					$	3,960	$	331

Substantially all of the Company's forward foreign exchange contracts are subject to master netting arrangements, whereby the right to offset occurs in the event of default by a participating party. The Company has elected to present these contracts on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheets.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Universal measures certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value based on applicable accounting guidance. The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value include money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest rate swap agreements, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers. The application of the fair value guidance to nonfinancial assets and liabilities primarily includes assessments of goodwill and long-lived assets for potential impairment.
	Under the accounting guidance, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The framework for measuring fair value is based on a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs require the Company to make its own assumptions about the value placed on an asset or liability by market participants because little or no market data exists. There are three levels within the fair value hierarchy. Universal has not elected to report at fair value any financial instruments or any other assets or liabilities that are not required to be reported at fair value under current accounting guidance.


	Level		Description

	1		quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the reporting date;

	2		quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

	3		unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
	In measuring the fair value of liabilities, the Company considers the risk of non-performance in determining fair value.
	At March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are listed in the tables below and are classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy:


			31-Mar-14
			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Money market funds		$	—		$	1,527	$	—	$	1,527

	Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans		19,754			—		—		19,754

	Forward foreign currency exchange contracts		—			2,074		—		2,074

	Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value		$	19,754		$	3,601	$	—	$	23,355


	Liabilities
	Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers		$	—		$	—	$	2,270	$	2,270

	Interest rate swap agreements		—			936		—		936

	Forward foreign currency exchange contracts		—			3,973		—		3,973

	Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value		$	—		$	4,909	$	2,270	$	7,179



			31-Mar-13
			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Money market funds		$	—		$	174,551	$	—	$	174,551

	Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans		19,168			—		—		19,168

	Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value		$	19,168		$	174,551	$	—	$	193,719


	Liabilities
	Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers		$	—		$	—	$	4,235	$	4,235

	Interest rate swap agreements		—			1,679		—		1,679

	Forward foreign currency exchange contracts		—			1,141		—		1,141

	Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value		$	—		$	2,820	$	4,235	$	7,055

	Money market funds
	The fair value of money market funds, which are reported in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets, is based on net asset value, which is computed based on amortized cost (Level 2). The fair values of these investments approximate cost due to the short-term maturities and the high credit quality of the issuers of the underlying securities.
	Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans
	Trading securities represent mutual fund investments that are matched to employee deferred compensation obligations. These investments are bought and sold as employees defer compensation, receive distributions, or make changes in the funds underlying their accounts. Quoted market prices (Level 1) are used to determine the fair values of the mutual funds.
	Interest rate swap agreements
The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
The fair values of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are also determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, forward foreign currency exchange contracts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers
The Company guarantees bank loans to tobacco growers in Brazil for crop financing and has previously guaranteed loans to those growers for construction of curing barns and other tobacco producing assets, as well as loans to growers in Malawi for crop financing. In the event that the farmers default on their payments to the banks, the Company would be required to perform under the guarantees. The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of farmer defaults based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value of its guarantees as an obligation in its consolidated financial statements. The fair value of the guarantees is determined using the expected loss data for all loans outstanding at each measurement date. The present value of the cash flows associated with the estimated losses is then calculated at a risk-adjusted interest rate that is aligned with the expected duration of the liability and includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. This approach is sometimes referred to as the “contingent claims valuation method.” Although historical loss data is an observable input, significant judgment is required in applying this information to the portfolio of guaranteed loans outstanding at each measurement date and in selecting a risk-adjusted interest rate. Significant increases or decreases in the risk-adjusted interest rate could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers are therefore classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
A reconciliation of the change in the balance of the financial liability for guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers (Level 3) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is provided below.


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
Balance at beginning of year		$	4,235		$	5,932

Payments under the guarantees and transfers to allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (removal of prior crop year loans from the portfolio)		(7,463		)	(7,352		)
Provision for loss or transfers from allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (addition of current crop year loans)		5,566			5,690

Change in discount rate and estimated collection period		130			135

Currency remeasurement		(198		)	(170		)
Balance at end of year		$	2,270		$	4,235

Long-term Obligations
The fair value of the Company’s long-term obligations, including the current portion, was approximately $360 million at March 31, 2014, and $404 million at March 31, 2013. The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term obligations using Level 2 inputs which are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt of similar terms and maturities.

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'
	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
	Defined Benefit Plans
	Description of Plans
	The Company sponsors several defined benefit pension plans covering U.S. salaried employees and certain foreign and other employee groups. These plans provide retirement benefits based primarily on employee compensation and years of service. Plan assets consist primarily of equity and fixed income investments. The Company also sponsors defined benefit plans that provide postretirement health and life insurance benefits for eligible U.S. employees who have attained specific age and service levels. The health benefits are funded by the Company as the costs of those benefits are incurred. The plan design includes cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance. The life insurance benefits are funded with deposits to a reserve account held by an insurance company. The Company has the right to amend or discontinue its pension and other postretirement benefit plans at any time.
	In the following disclosures, the term “accumulated benefit obligation” (“ABO”) represents the actuarial present value of estimated future benefit payments earned by participants in the Company's defined benefit pension plans as of the balance sheet date without regard to the estimated effect of future compensation increases on those benefits. The term does not apply to other postretirement benefits. “Projected benefit obligation” refers to the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (“APBO”) for other postretirement benefits. These amounts represent the actuarial present value of estimated future benefit payments earned by participants in the benefit plans as of the balance sheet date. For pension benefits, the projected benefit obligation includes the estimated effect of future compensation increases on those benefits.
	Actuarial Assumptions
	Assumptions used for financial reporting purposes to compute net periodic benefit cost and benefit obligations for the Company's primary defined benefit plans were as follows:


		Pension Benefits									Other Postretirement Benefits
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Discount rates:
	Benefit cost for plan year	4.2	%		4.6	%		5.5	%		3.9	%		4.4	%		5.5	%
	Benefit obligation at end of plan year	4.5	%		4.2	%		4.6	%		4.3	%		3.9	%		4.4	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets:
	Benefit cost for plan year	8	%		8	%		8	%		4.3	%		4.3	%		4.3	%
	Benefit obligation at end of plan year	7.75	%		8	%		8	%		4.3	%		4.3	%		4.3	%
	Salary scale:
	Benefit cost for plan year	5	%		5	%		5	%		5	%		5	%		5	%
	Benefit obligation at end of plan year	4.5	%		5	%		5	%		4.5	%		5	%		5	%
	Healthcare cost trend rate	N/A			N/A			N/A			7.4	%		7.6	%		7.8	%
	Healthcare cost trend rate	N/A			N/A			N/A			7.4	%		7.6	%		7.8	%
	The healthcare cost trend rate used by the Company is based on a recent study of medical cost inflation rates. The revised trend assumption of 7.40% in 2014 declines gradually to 4.50% in 2028.

	Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, and Funded Status
	The following table reflects the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets in 2014 and 2013, and the funded status of the plans at March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Pension								Other Postretirement Benefits
		Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
		March 31,								March 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	258,240			$	280,626			$	—			$	—
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	258,240			$	280,626			$	—			$	—
	Projected benefit obligation	259,928				299,161				41,846				48,970
	Projected benefit obligation	259,928				299,161				41,846				48,970

	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	299,161			$	302,632			$	48,970			$	48,784
	Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	299,161			$	302,632			$	48,970			$	48,784
	Service cost	5,190				4,650				527				467
	Service cost	5,190				4,650				527				467
	Interest cost	12,223				13,001				2,106				2,303
	Interest cost	12,223				13,001				2,106				2,303
	Effect of discount rate change	(8,316		)		13,798				(2,483		)		3,068
	Effect of discount rate change	(8,316		)		13,798				(2,483		)		3,068
	Plan amendment	(22,145		)		—				—				—
	Plan amendment	(22,145		)		—				—				—
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	22				(1,528		)		—				—
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	22				(1,528		)		—				—
	Settlements	(2,136		)		(13,027		)		—				—
	Settlements	(2,136		)		(13,027		)		—				—
	Other	(2,586		)		(6,420		)		(4,282		)		(2,733		)
	Benefit payments	(21,485		)		(13,945		)		(2,992		)		(2,919		)
	Projected benefit obligation, end of year	$	259,928			$	299,161			$	41,846			$	48,970
	Projected benefit obligation, end of year	$	259,928			$	299,161			$	41,846			$	48,970

	Change in plan assets:
	Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year	$	205,942			$	199,525			$	2,932			$	3,062
	Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year	$	205,942			$	199,525			$	2,932			$	3,062
	Actual return on plan assets	15,758				22,865				97				151
	Actual return on plan assets	15,758				22,865				97				151
Employer contributions	17,866				11,552				2,498				2,638
Employer contributions	17,866				11,552				2,498				2,638
Settlements	(2,136		)		(13,027		)		—				—
Settlements	(2,136		)		(13,027		)		—				—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(2,663		)		(1,028		)		—				—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(2,663		)		(1,028		)		—				—
Benefit payments	(21,485		)		(13,945		)		(2,992		)		(2,919		)
Plan assets at fair value, end of year	$	213,282			$	205,942			$	2,535			$	2,932
Plan assets at fair value, end of year	$	213,282			$	205,942			$	2,535			$	2,932

Funded status:
Funded status of the plans, end of year	$	(46,646	)		$	(93,219	)		$	(39,311	)		$	(46,038	)
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Company offered terminated participants in its ERISA-regulated U.S. defined benefit pension plan who had not yet begun receiving monthly retirement payments the opportunity to receive a lump-sum distribution of their vested benefit. Benefit payments for fiscal year 2014 in the above table include approximately $7 million paid to participants who accepted that offer.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company amended its ERISA-regulated and non-regulated pension plans in the U.S. to change the benefit formula applied to service periods beginning January 1, 2014, to modify early retirement factors, and to cover on a prospective basis certain employees who did not previously participate in the plans. Due to the significance of the amendments on the benefit obligation for the plans, the Company remeasured the plan's assets and liabilities during the quarter using actuarial assumptions that were updated as of the valuation date. The updated actuarial assumptions included an increase in the discount rate used to calculate the benefit liability, reflecting a general rise in the market interest rates since March 31, 2013. The remeasurement resulted in a prior service benefit of approximately $22 million.
The funded status of the Company’s plans at the end of fiscal years 2014 and 2013 was reported in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:


	Pension								Other Postretirement Benefits
	Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
	March 31,								March 31,
	2014				2013				2014				2013
Non-current asset (included in other noncurrent assets)	$	2,476			$	1,280			$	—			$	—
Non-current asset (included in other noncurrent assets)	$	2,476			$	1,280			$	—			$	—
Current liability (included in accounts payable and accrued expenses)	(764		)		(1,581		)		(2,587		)		(3,327		)
Non-current liability (reported as pensions and other postretirement benefits)	(48,358		)		(92,918		)		(36,724		)		(42,711		)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets	$	(46,646	)		$	(93,219	)		$	(39,311	)		$	(46,038	)
Additional information on the funded status of the Company’s plans as of the respective measurement dates for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, is as follows:


	Pension								Other Postretirement Benefits
	Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
	March 31,								March 31,
	2014				2013				2014				2013
For plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
Aggregate projected benefit obligation (PBO)	$	254,117			$	290,142			$	41,846			$	48,970
Aggregate projected benefit obligation (PBO)	$	254,117			$	290,142			$	41,846			$	48,970
Aggregate fair value of plan assets	204,995				195,642				2,535				2,932
Aggregate fair value of plan assets	204,995				195,642				2,535				2,932
For plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)	243,496				272,148				N/A				N/A
Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)	243,496				272,148				N/A				N/A
Aggregate fair value of plan assets	195,627				195,642				N/A				N/A
Aggregate fair value of plan assets	195,627				195,642				N/A				N/A
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost were as follows:


	Pension Benefits												Other Postretirement Benefits
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,												Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	2014				2013				2012				2014				2013			2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	5,190			$	4,650			$	4,614			$	527			$	467		$	591
Service cost	$	5,190			$	4,650			$	4,614			$	527			$	467		$	591
Interest cost	12,223				13,001				13,959				2,106				2,303			2,636
Interest cost	12,223				13,001				13,959				2,106				2,303			2,636
Expected return on plan assets	(14,218		)		(14,632		)		(14,958		)		(119		)		(124		)	(134		)
Settlement cost	1,094				3,304				—				—				—			—
Settlement cost	1,094				3,304				—				—				—			—
Net amortization and deferral	6,779				10,299				6,309				(5		)		(8		)	(335		)
Net amortization and deferral	6,779				10,299				6,309				(5		)		(8		)	(335		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	11,068			$	16,622			$	9,924			$	2,509			$	2,638		$	2,758
Net periodic benefit cost	$	11,068			$	16,622			$	9,924			$	2,509			$	2,638		$	2,758
A one-percentage-point increase in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would increase the March 31, 2014, accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $1.5 million, while a one-percentage-point decrease would reduce the benefit obligation by approximately $1.4 million. The aggregate service and interest cost components of the net periodic postretirement benefit expense for fiscal year 2015 would not change by a significant amount as a result of a one-percentage-point increase or decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate.
Amounts Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Reclassification adjustments represent amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the beginning of the year that were recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the year. All amounts shown are before allocated income taxes. The amounts recognized in other comprehensive income or loss for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 and the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the end of those fiscal years are shown below.


	Pension								Other Postretirement Benefits
	Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
	March 31,								March 31,
	2014				2013				2014				2013
Change in net actuarial loss (gain):
Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of year	$	93,357			$	108,171			$	(3,918	)		$	(4,644	)
Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of year	$	93,357			$	108,171			$	(3,918	)		$	(4,644	)
Losses (gains) arising during the year	(12,834		)		(928		)		(6,039		)		717
Losses (gains) arising during the year	(12,834		)		(928		)		(6,039		)		717
Reclassification adjustments during the year	(10,035		)		(13,886		)		5				9
Reclassification adjustments during the year	(10,035		)		(13,886		)		5				9
Net actuarial loss (gain), end of year	70,488				93,357				(9,952		)		(3,918		)
Net actuarial loss (gain), end of year	70,488				93,357				(9,952		)		(3,918		)

Change in prior service cost (benefit):
Prior service cost (benefit), beginning of year	(2,617		)		(3,080		)		226				500
Prior service cost (benefit), beginning of year	(2,617		)		(3,080		)		226				500
Prior service cost (benefit) arising during the year	(22,145		)		—				—				—
Prior service cost (benefit) arising during the year	(22,145		)		—				—				—
Reclassification adjustments during the year	1,764				463				(226		)		(274		)
Reclassification adjustments during the year	1,764				463				(226		)		(274		)
Prior service cost (benefit), end of year	(22,998		)		(2,617		)		—				226
Prior service cost (benefit), end of year	(22,998		)		(2,617		)		—				226

Total amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	47,490			$	90,740			$	(9,952	)		$	(3,692	)
at end of year, before income taxes	$	47,490			$	90,740			$	(9,952	)		$	(3,692	)
Amounts in the above table reflect the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The accumulated other comprehensive loss reported in the consolidated balance sheets also includes pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments related to ownership interests in unconsolidated affiliates. As noted above, the prior service benefit arising during fiscal year 2014 related to an amendment to the Company's U.S. pension plans to change the benefit formula applied to service periods beginning January 1, 2014 and to modify early retirement benefit factors.
The Company expects to recognize approximately $5.8 million of the March 31, 2014 net actuarial loss and $3.1 million of the March 31, 2014 prior service benefit in net periodic benefit cost during fiscal year 2015.
Allocation of Pension Plan Assets
The Company has established, and periodically adjusts, target asset allocations for its investments in its U.S. ERISA-regulated defined benefit pension plan, which represents 91% of consolidated plan assets and 80% of consolidated PBO at March 31, 2014, to balance the needs of liquidity, total return, and risk control. The assets are required to be diversified across asset classes and investment styles to achieve that balance. During the year, the asset allocation is reviewed for adherence to the target policy and rebalanced to the targeted weights. The Company reviews the expected long-term returns of the asset allocation each year to help determine whether changes are needed. The return is evaluated on a weighted-average basis in relation to inflation. The assumed long-term rate of return used to calculate annual benefit expense is based on the asset allocation and expected market returns for those asset classes.
The weighted–average target pension asset allocation and target ranges at the March 31, 2014 measurement date and the actual asset allocations at the March 31, 2014 and 2013 measurement dates by major asset category were as follows:


									Actual Allocation
	Target Allocation								March 31,
Major Asset Category	Target Allocation			Range					2014			2013
Equity securities	46	%		36	%	-	56%		48.3	%		57	%
Fixed income securities (1)	44	%		34	%	-	54%		41.3	%		32.6	%
Alternative investments	10	%		5	%	-	15%		10.4	%		10.4	%
Total	100	%							100	%		100	%

(1)	Actual amounts include high yield securities and cash balances held for the payment of benefits.
Universal makes regular contributions to its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. As previously noted, for postretirement health benefits, contributions reflect funding of those benefits as they are incurred. With plan contributions and an increase in asset values during fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the Company believes that it is in full compliance with all funding requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. The Company expects to make contributions of approximately $7.1 million to its defined benefit pension plans in fiscal year 2015, including $5.5 million to its ERISA-regulated U.S. plan and $1.6 million to its non-ERISA regulated and other plans.
Estimated future benefit payments to be made from the Company’s plans are as follows:


Fiscal Year:	Pension				Other
	Benefits				Postretirement
					Benefits
2015	$	16,906			$	2,976
2015	$	16,906			$	2,976
2016	16,855				3,007
2016	16,855				3,007
2017	18,967				3,035
2017	18,967				3,035
2018	15,243				3,008
2018	15,243				3,008
2019	19,842				3,058
2019	19,842				3,058
2020 - 2024	87,632				14,908
2020 - 2024	87,632				14,908

Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets
Assets held by the Company's defined benefit pension plans primarily consist of equity securities, fixed income securities, and alternative investments. Equity securities are primarily invested in actively-traded mutual funds with underlying common stock investments in U.S. and foreign companies ranging in size from small to large corporations. Fixed income securities are also held primarily through actively-traded mutual funds with the underlying investments in both U.S. and foreign securities. The methodologies for determining the fair values of the plan assets are outlined below. Where the values are based on quoted prices for the securities in an active market, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Where secondary pricing sources are used, they are classified as Level 2 of the hierarchy. Pricing models that use significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3.

•	Equity securities: Investments in equity securities through actively-traded mutual funds are valued based on the net asset values of the units held in the respective funds, which are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges. These securities are classified as Level 1

•	Fixed income securities: Fixed income investments that are held through mutual funds are valued based on the net asset values of the units held in the respective funds, which are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges. These securities are classified as Level 1. Other fixed income investments are valued at an estimated price that a dealer would pay for a similar security on the valuation date using observable market inputs and are classified as Level 2. These market inputs may include yield curves for similarly rated securities. Small amounts of cash are held in common collective trusts. Fixed income securities also include insurance assets, which are valued based on an actuarial calculation. Those securities are classified as Level 3.

•	Alternative investments: Real estate assets are valued using valuation models that incorporate income and market approaches, including external appraisals, to derive fair values. The hedge fund allocation is a fund of hedge funds and is valued by the manager based on the net asset value of each fund. These models use significant unobservable inputs and are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Fair values of the assets of the Company’s pension plans as of March 31, 2014 and 2013, classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy are as follows:


	March 31, 2014
	Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
Equity securities	$	93,229			$	—			$	—			$	93,229
Equity securities	$	93,229			$	—			$	—			$	93,229
Fixed income securities (1)	80,567				8,287				11,266				100,120
Fixed income securities (1)	80,567				8,287				11,266				100,120
Alternative investments	—				—				19,933				19,933
Alternative investments	—				—				19,933				19,933
Total investments	$	173,796			$	8,287			$	31,199			$	213,282
Total investments	$	173,796			$	8,287			$	31,199			$	213,282


	March 31, 2013
	Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
Equity securities	$	107,164			$	—			$	—			$	107,164
Equity securities	$	107,164			$	—			$	—			$	107,164
Fixed income securities (1)	61,553				10,300				7,435				79,288
Fixed income securities (1)	61,553				10,300				7,435				79,288
Alternative investments	—				—				19,490				19,490
Alternative investments	—				—				19,490				19,490
Total investments	$	168,717			$	10,300			$	26,925			$	205,942
Total investments	$	168,717			$	10,300			$	26,925			$	205,942

(1)	Includes high yield securities and cash and cash equivalent balances.
Other Benefit Plans
Universal and several subsidiaries offer employer defined contribution savings plans. Amounts charged to expense for these plans were approximately $1.6 million for fiscal year 2014, $1.5 million for fiscal year 2013, and $1.1 million for fiscal year 2012.

Common_And_Preferred_Stock

Common And Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Common And Preferred Stock	'
	COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK
	Common Stock
	At March 31, 2014, the Company’s shareholders had authorized 100,000,000 shares of its common stock, and 23,216,312 shares were issued and outstanding. Holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters requiring a vote. Holders of the common stock are also entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors customarily declares and pays regular quarterly dividends on the outstanding common shares; however, such dividends are at the Board’s full discretion, and there is no obligation to continue them. If dividends on the Company’s Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock” or “Preferred Shares”) are not declared and paid for any dividend period, then the Company may not pay dividends on the common stock or repurchase common shares until the dividends on the Preferred Stock have been paid for a period of four consecutive quarters.
	Universal’s Board of Directors has authorized programs to repurchase outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. Under these programs, the Company has made and may continue to make share repurchases from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. Programs have been in place continuously throughout fiscal years 2012 through 2014. The current program, which replaced an expiring program, was authorized and became effective on November 5, 2015. It authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million of the Company's outstanding common stock and expires on the earlier of November 15, 2015, or when the funds authorized for the program have been exhausted.
	Total share repurchases under the programs for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Number of shares repurchased	238,486		169,432		80,191

	Cost of shares repurchased (in thousands of dollars)	$	14,145	$	8,631	$	3,488

	Weighted-average cost per share	$	59.31	$	50.94	$	43.49

	At March 31, 2014, the full $100 million authorized under the current program remained available for share repurchases.
	Preferred Stock
	The Company is also authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, 500,000 shares of which have been reserved for Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and 220,000 shares of which have been reserved for Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock. No Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock has been issued. In 2006, 220,000 shares of Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock” or “Preferred Shares”) were issued under this authorization. At March 31, 2014, 219,999 shares were issued and outstanding. The Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Holders of the Preferred Shares are entitled to receive quarterly dividends at the rate of 6.75% per annum on the liquidation preference when, as, and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. Dividends are not cumulative in the event the Board of Directors does not declare a dividend for one or more quarterly periods. Under the terms of the Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors is prohibited from declaring regular dividends on the Preferred Shares in any period in which the Company fails to meet specified levels of shareholders’ equity and net income; however, in that situation, the Board of Directors may instead declare such dividends payable in shares of the Company’s common stock or from net proceeds of common stock issued during the ninety-day period prior to the dividend declaration. The Preferred Shares have no voting rights, except in the event the Company fails to pay dividends for four consecutive or non-consecutive quarterly dividend periods or fails to pay the redemption price on any date that the Preferred Shares are called for redemption, in which case the holders of Preferred Shares will be entitled to elect two additional directors to the Company’s Board to serve until dividends on the Preferred Stock have been fully paid for four consecutive quarters.
	The Preferred Shares are convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate that is adjusted each time the Company pays a dividend on its common stock that exceeds $0.43 per share. The conversion rate at March 31, 2014, was 21.9648 shares of common stock per preferred share, which represents a conversion price of approximately $45.53 per common share. Upon conversion, the Company may, at its option, satisfy all or part of the conversion value in cash.
	Through March 15, 2018, the Company may, at its option, cause the Preferred Shares to be automatically converted into shares of common stock that are issuable at the prevailing conversion rate, only if the closing price of the common stock during a specified period exceeds 135% of the then prevailing conversion price. With this conversion, the Company may, at its option, satisfy all or part of the conversion value in cash in lieu of delivering shares. On or after March 15, 2018, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the outstanding Preferred Shares for cash at the $1,000 per share liquidation preference.

Executive_Stock_Plans_And_Stoc

Executive Stock Plans And Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Executive Stock Plans And Stock-Based Compensation	'
	EXECUTIVE STOCK PLANS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	Executive Stock Plans
	The Company’s shareholders have approved executive stock plans under which officers, directors, and employees of the Company may receive grants and awards of common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance share awards (“PSAs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options. Currently, grants are outstanding under the 1997 Executive Stock Plan, the 2002 Executive Stock Plan, and the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan. Together, these plans are referred to in this disclosure as the “Plans.” Up to 2 million shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued under each of the Plans; however, direct awards of common stock, restricted stock, or RSUs are limited to 500,000 shares under the 2002 Executive Stock Plan and 1,350,000 shares under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.
	The Company’s practice is to award grants of stock-based compensation to officers at the first regularly-scheduled meeting of the Executive Compensation, Nominating, and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) in the fiscal year following the public release of the Company’s financial results for the prior year. Prior to 2006, non-qualified stock options were the primary form of stock-based compensation awarded, and some of those options remained outstanding at March 31, 2014. Since fiscal year 2006, grants have included restricted stock, RSUs, PSAs, and stock-settled SARs. In fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the Compensation Committee awarded only grants of RSUs and PSAs. Outside directors automatically receive restricted stock units following each annual meeting of shareholders.
	Non-qualified stock options and SARs granted under the Plans have an exercise price equal to the market price of a share of common stock on the date of grant. All stock options currently outstanding under the Plans are fully vested and exercisable, and they expire 10 years after the grant date. SARs granted under the Plans vest in equal one-third tranches one, two, and three years after the grant date and expire 10 years after the grant date, except that SARs granted after fiscal year 2007 expire on the earlier of 3 years after the grantee’s retirement date or 10 years after the grant date. RSUs awarded under the Plans vest 5 years from the grant date and are then paid out in shares of common stock. Under the terms of the RSU awards, grantees receive dividend equivalents in the form of additional RSUs that vest and are paid out on the same date as the original RSU grant. The PSAs vest 3 years from the grant date, are paid out in shares of common stock at the vesting date, and do not carry rights to dividends or dividend equivalents prior to vesting. Shares ultimately paid out under PSA grants are dependent on the achievement of predetermined performance measures established by the Compensation Committee and can range from zero to 150% of the stated award. RSUs awarded to outside directors vest 3 years after the grant date, and restricted stock vests upon the individual’s retirement from service as a director.
	Stock Options and SARs
	The following tables summarize the Company’s stock option and SAR activity and related information for fiscal years 2012 through 2014:


		Shares			Weighted-Average				Weighted-Average Contractual Term		Aggregate
					Exercise				(in years)		Intrinsic
					Price						Value
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012:
	Outstanding at beginning of year	922,598			$	45.94

	Granted	170,400			37.86

	Exercised	(195,948	)		35.82

	Cancelled/expired	(41,200	)		59.25

	Outstanding at end of year	855,850			46.01


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013:
	Exercised	(407,758	)		41.21

	Cancelled/expired	(29,615	)		54.83

	Outstanding at end of year	418,477			50.07


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014:
	Exercised	(161,137	)		42.48

	Outstanding at end of year	257,340			$	54.83			3.48		$	1,418


	Exercisable at end of year	207,068			$	58.95			2.58		$	512

	Expected to vest in future periods	50,272			$	37.86			7.2		$	906




		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised	$	2,816			$	4,249			$	1,745

	Total fair value of SARs vested	$	769			$	1,460			$	1,713

	Intrinsic value and aggregate intrinsic value in the tables above are based on the difference between the market price of the underlying shares at the exercise date or balance sheet date, as applicable, and the exercise prices of the stock options and SARs. The closing market prices used to determine the aggregate intrinsic value at the end of each fiscal year were as follows: $55.89 at March 31, 2014, $56.04 at March 31, 2013, and $46.60 at March 31, 2012.
	RSUs, Restricted Stock, and PSAs
	The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU, restricted stock, and PSA activity for fiscal years 2012 through 2014:


		RSUs							Restricted Stock						PSAs
		Shares			Weighted-Average				Shares			Weighted-Average			Shares		Weighted-Average
					Grant Date							Grant Date					Grant Date
					Fair Value							Fair Value					Fair Value
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012:
	Unvested at beginning of year	246,816			$	44.07			77,750			$	40.77		131,419		$	34.59

Granted	84,290			38.28				—			—			57,383		35.56

Vested	(39,827	)		35.94				(10,350	)		37.52			(44,352	)	45.96

Forfeited	—			—				—			—			(1,984	)	33.3

Unvested at end of year	291,279			43.72				67,400			41.91			142,466		31.45


Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013:
Granted	87,780			44.06				—			—			92,425		35.25

Vested	(86,925	)		52.42				(7,550	)		43.74			(94,725	)	29.67

Forfeited	—			—				—			—			(5,149	)	36.15

Unvested at end of year	292,134			41.23				59,850			41.68			135,017		35.12


Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014:
Granted	70,092			57.79				—			—			52,400		53.56

Vested	(69,046	)		44.89				(11,750	)		39.02			(32,464	)	33.95

Forfeited	—			—				—			—			(5,566	)	37.45

Unvested at end of year	293,180			$	44.33			48,100			$	42.33		149,387		$	41.76

Shares granted and vested in the above table include dividend equivalents on RSUs and any shares awarded above the base grant under the performance provisions of PSAs. Shares forfeited or canceled include any reductions from the base PSA grant under those same performance provisions.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Determination of the Grant Date Fair Value of Stock-Based Compensation
As indicated in the tables above, the Company granted RSUs and PSAs in each of fiscal years 2012 through 2014, and SARs in fiscal year 2012. The fair values of the RSUs and PSAs were based on the market price of the common stock on the grant date. The fair values of the SARs granted in fiscal year 2012 were estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model and the following assumptions:


Assumptions:
Expected term		5.0 years
Expected volatility		35.80%
Expected dividend yield		5.07%
Risk-free interest rate		1.66%

Resulting fair value of SARs granted		$7.46
The expected term was based on the Company’s historical exercise data for instruments with comparable features and economic characteristics. The expected volatility was estimated based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock using weekly closing prices. The expected dividend yield was based on the annualized quarterly dividend rate and the market price of the common stock at grant date. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the grant date for securities with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the SARs. Since all SAR grants in fiscal year 2012 were awarded on the same date, the fair value shown in the above table represents the weighted-average grant date fair value for that year.
Recognition of Compensation Expense
Fair value expense for stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the period from grant date to the earlier of (1) the vesting date of the award, or (2) the date the grantee is eligible to retire without forfeiting the award. For employees who are already eligible to retire at the date an award is granted, the total fair value of the award is recognized as expense at the date of grant. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, total stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized were as follows:


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	2014				2013				2012
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	6,278			$	6,171			$	5,987

Income tax benefit recorded on stock-based compensation expense	$	2,197			$	2,160			$	2,095

At March 31, 2014, the Company had $6.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to stock-based awards, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.3 years. Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $3.9 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, and were not material for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 or 2012.

Commitments_And_Other_Matters

Commitments And Other Matters	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Other Matters [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Other Matters	'
	COMMITMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS
	Commitments
	The Company enters into contracts to purchase tobacco from farmers in a number of the countries in which it operates. Contracts in most countries cover one annual growing season, but current contracts with some farmers in Brazil cover more than one year. Primarily with the farmer contracts in Brazil, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Mexico, the Company provides seasonal financing to support the farmers’ production of their crops or guarantees their financing from third-party banks. At March 31, 2014, the Company had contracts to purchase approximately $661 million of tobacco to be delivered during the coming fiscal year and $154 million of tobacco to be delivered in subsequent years. These amounts are estimates since actual quantities purchased will depend on crop yields, and prices will depend on the quality of the tobacco delivered and other market factors. Tobacco purchase obligations have been partially funded by advances to farmers and other suppliers, which totaled approximately $135 million, net of allowances, at March 31, 2014. The Company withholds payments due to farmers on delivery of the tobacco to satisfy repayment of the financing it provided to the farmers. As noted above and discussed in more detail below, the Company also has arrangements to guarantee bank loans to farmers in Brazil, and payments are also withheld on delivery of tobacco to satisfy repayment of those loans. In addition to its contractual obligations to purchase tobacco, the Company had commitments related to agricultural materials, approved capital expenditures, and various other requirements that approximated $74 million at March 31, 2014.
	Guarantees and Other Contingent Liabilities
	Guarantees of bank loans to growers for crop financing and construction of curing barns or other tobacco producing assets have long been industry practice in Brazil and support the farmers’ production of tobacco there. During fiscal year 2013, similar arrangements were established in Malawi in connection with a shift from auction market sourcing to direct procurement in that country, but those arrangements were not continued for the crop planted in fiscal year 2014. At March 31, 2014, the Company’s total exposure under guarantees issued by its operating subsidiary for banking facilities of farmers in Brazil was approximately $20 million ($22 million face amount including unpaid accrued interest, less $2 million recorded for the fair value of the guarantees). All of these guarantees expire within one year. As noted above, the subsidiary withholds payments due to the farmers on delivery of tobacco and forward those payments to the third-party banks. Failure of farmers to deliver sufficient quantities of tobacco to the subsidiary to cover their obligations to the third-party banks could result in a liability for the subsidiary under the related guarantees; however, in that case, the subsidiary would have recourse against the farmers. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company’s subsidiary could be required to make at March 31, 2014, was the face amount, $22 million including unpaid accrued interest ($20 million as of March 31, 2013). The fair value of the guarantees was a liability of approximately $2 million at March 31, 2014 ($4 million at March 31, 2013). In addition to these guarantees, the Company has other contingent liabilities totaling approximately $3 million at March 31, 2014.
	Major Customers
	A material part of the Company’s business is dependent upon a few customers. The Company's five largest customers are Philip Morris International, Inc., Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC, British American Tobacco, PLC, China Tobacco International, Inc., and Japan Tobacco, Inc. In the aggregate, these customers have accounted for more than 60% of consolidated revenue for each of the past three fiscal years. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, revenue from Philip Morris International, Inc. was approximately $590 million, $550 million, and $610 million, respectively. For the same periods, Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC accounted for revenue of approximately $340 million, $330 million, and $360 million, respectively. These customers primarily do business with various affiliates in the Company’s flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations. The loss of, or substantial reduction in business from, any of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
	Accounts Receivable
	The Company’s operating subsidiaries perform credit evaluations of customers’ financial condition prior to the extension of credit. Generally, accounts receivable are unsecured and are due within 30 days. When collection terms are extended for longer periods, interest and carrying costs are usually recovered. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements, and historically such amounts have not been material. The allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $7.0 million and $8.0 million at March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At March 31, 2014 and 2013, net accounts receivable by reportable operating segment were as follows:


		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:
	North America	$	64,195	$	56,256

	Other regions	362,146		297,615

	Subtotal	426,341		353,871

	Other tobacco operations	41,674		47,876

	Consolidated accounts receivable, net	$	468,015	$	401,747

	Favorable Outcome of IPI Tax Credit Case in Brazil
	During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, a longstanding lawsuit related to IPI tax credits filed by the Company's operating subsidiary in Brazil was concluded in the subsidiary's favor with a decision by the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice on the final appeal filed by the Brazilian federal government. Although additional appeals by the government were expected in the case, the time period to file those appeals expired before the end of the quarter, and the decision and overall outcome of the case were confirmed.
	IPI tax credits were established under Brazilian tax laws to allow recovery of a portion of the excise taxes paid on manufactured products when those products are sold in export markets. In prior years, the subsidiary paid excise taxes on the component cost of unprocessed tobacco purchased from growers, as well as the cost of electricity, packing materials, and other inputs used in its manufacturing process. Under the law, the subsidiary believed it was entitled to use IPI tax credits to recover excise taxes on the processed tobacco it exported. However, specific regulations issued by the Brazilian tax authorities did not permit the subsidiary to claim those credits. The suit filed by the subsidiary challenged the denial of the tax credits based on the law. Several decisions in lower courts were decided in the subsidiary's favor for a portion of the tax credits claimed in the suit, but those decisions were appealed on various grounds by both the government and the subsidiary. The expiration of the appeal period ended the matter in the courts.
	The final court decision entitles the subsidiary to approximately $104 million of IPI tax credits (based on the exchange rate at the date of the decision), which can be used to offset future payments of other Brazilian federal taxes for a period of up to five years. That amount includes the tax credits generated over the period granted by the courts, as well as interest calculated from the date those credits should have been available to the subsidiary. As noted, the ability to use the tax credits to offset other Brazilian federal tax payments expires in five years, and utilization of the credits is also subject to audit by the tax authorities. Based on current estimates of the tax credits that are probable of being realized, the subsidiary recorded an allowance, reducing the net book value of the credits to approximately $90 million. After deducting related legal fees and Brazilian social contribution taxes assessed on the interest portion of the total IPI tax credits received, the subsidiary recorded a net gain of $81.6 million ($53.1 million after tax, or $1.87 per diluted share) during the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as a result of the favorable outcome of the case. The gain is reported in Other Income in the consolidated statement of income. Management of the Company and the subsidiary regularly review the estimates and assumptions used in determining the total amount of the tax credits likely to be realized and, accordingly, it is reasonably possible that the valuation allowance could be adjusted in future reporting periods. During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, the subsidiary began using the credits to offset tax payments.
	Sale of Property in Brazil
	During fiscal year 2012, the Company sold land and buildings in Brazil that were formerly used for processing, storage, and office activities in exchange for $9.4 million in cash and two warehouses having an aggregate fair value of approximately $11.2 million. The transaction resulted in a gain of $11.1 million, which is reported in other income in the consolidated statement of income. In the consolidated statement of cash flows, the cash proceeds received in the transaction are included in proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment in cash flows from investing activities. The fair value of the warehouses received was excluded from the statement of cash flows since it was non-cash consideration.
	Fire Loss Insurance Settlement
	In the early part of fiscal year 2012, an operating subsidiary of the Company in Europe completed settlement of an insurance claim related to a fire in 2010 that destroyed a portion of its facility and temporarily suspended factory operations. The Company and its subsidiary maintained general liability, business interruption, and replacement cost property insurance coverage on the facility. As part of the final settlement, the subsidiary received approximately $9.9 million of insurance proceeds to cover the cost of reconstructing the damaged portion of the facility and replacing equipment that was destroyed in the fire. A gain of approximately $9.6 million was recorded on the involuntary conversion of those assets and is reported in other income in the consolidated statement of income. In addition, the subsidiary received insurance proceeds totaling approximately $6.9 million for business interruption related to the fire. Approximately $2.1 million of the business interruption recovery was recognized in earnings in fiscal year 2012, and the remaining $4.8 million was recognized prior to that year. In the consolidated statement of cash flows, the insurance proceeds attributable to the property and equipment destroyed in the fire are reported in cash flows from investing activities. All other insurance proceeds received prior to or with the final claim settlement in fiscal year 2012 have been reported in cash flows from operating activities. Reconstruction of the facility was completed and the factory returned to full operations during the first quarter of fiscal year 2012.
	Statutory Severance and Pension Obligations in Malawi
	In fiscal year 2008, the Company’s operating subsidiary in Malawi recorded a charge to accrue statutory severance obligations based on court rulings that found the severance benefits payable to employees upon retirement, death, involuntary termination, or termination by mutual agreement under the Malawi Employment Act of 2000, even in cases where employees are covered by a company-sponsored pension benefit. Because the effect of the court rulings was to entitle some employees to both private pension benefits and statutory severance benefits in cases of normal retirement, some of the rulings were appealed to higher courts. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, new Employment and Pension legislation was enacted into law in Malawi. The new legislation changed prior law related to statutory severance benefits by eliminating the requirement to pay those benefits to employees in cases of normal retirement. At the same time, the legislation created a new requirement to provide pension benefits to employees who meet specified service criteria. The pension benefit to which employees are entitled under the new law is generally equivalent to the accumulated statutory severance benefit under the old law, but it considers any pension or gratuity benefits previously or currently provided to employees under a company’s private pension programs. The Company’s operating subsidiary in Malawi historically provided pension and gratuity payments to specified employee groups that reduce or offset the pension obligations provided under the new law. The Malawi subsidiary accounted for the enactment of the new legislation in its financial statements during the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 by reversing approximately $4 million of the statutory severance liability no longer required under the new law.

Operating_Segments

Operating Segments	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segments	'
	OPERATING SEGMENTS
	Universal’s operations involve selecting, procuring, processing, packing, storing, shipping, and financing leaf tobacco for sale to, or for the account of, manufacturers of consumer tobacco products throughout the world. Through various operating subsidiaries located in tobacco-growing countries around the world and significant ownership interests in unconsolidated affiliates, the Company processes and/or sells flue-cured and burley tobaccos, dark air-cured tobaccos, and oriental tobaccos. Flue-cured, burley, and oriental tobaccos are used principally in the manufacture of cigarettes, and dark air-cured tobaccos are used mainly in the manufacture of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products. A substantial portion of the Company’s revenues are derived from sales to a limited number of large, multinational cigarette manufacturers.
	The principal approach used by management to evaluate the Company’s performance is by geographic region, although the dark air-cured and oriental tobacco businesses are each evaluated on the basis of their worldwide operations. Oriental tobacco operations consist principally of a 49% interest in an affiliate, and the performance of those operations is evaluated based on the Company’s equity in the pretax earnings of that affiliate. Under this structure, the Company has the following primary operating segments: North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Dark Air-Cured, Oriental, and Special Services. North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia are primarily involved in flue-cured and/or burley leaf tobacco operations for supply to cigarette manufacturers. The Dark Air-Cured group supplies dark air-cured tobacco principally to manufacturers of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products, and the Oriental business supplies oriental tobacco to cigarette manufacturers. From time to time, the segments may trade in tobaccos that differ from their main varieties, but those activities are not significant to their overall results. Special Services includes the Company's laboratory services business, which provides physical and chemical product testing and smoke testing for customers, as well as its liquid nicotine joint venture and its food and vegetable ingredients business.
	The five regional operating segments serving the Company’s cigarette manufacturer customer base share similar characteristics in the nature of their products and services, production processes, class of customer, product distribution methods, and regulatory environment. Based on the applicable accounting guidance, four of the regions – South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia – are aggregated into a single reporting segment, “Other Regions”, because they also have similar economic characteristics. North America is reported as an individual operating segment because its economic characteristics differ from the other regions, generally because its operations require lower working capital investments for crop financing and inventory. The Dark Air-Cured, Oriental and Special Services segments, which have dissimilar characteristics in some of the categories mentioned above, are reported together as “Other Tobacco Operations” because each is below the measurement threshold for separate reporting.
	Universal incurs overhead expenses related to senior management, finance, legal, and other functions that are centralized at its corporate headquarters, as well as functions performed at several sales and administrative offices around the world. These overhead expenses are allocated to the various operating segments, generally on the basis of tobacco volumes planned to be purchased and/or processed. Management believes this method of allocation is representative of the value of the related services provided to the operating segments. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income after allocated overhead expenses, plus equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates.
	Reportable segment data as of, or for, the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, is as follows:


		Sales and Other Operating Revenues								Operating Income
		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,								Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012		2014			2013			2012
	Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:
	North America	$	348,627		$	334,676		$	314,248	$	23,217		$	19,740		$	30,037

	Other Regions (1)	1,932,228			1,871,880			1,893,388		133,447			192,556			180,670

	Subtotal	2,280,855			2,206,556			2,207,636		156,664			212,296			210,707

	Other Tobacco Operations (2)	261,260			255,143			239,241		18,511			20,461			12,841

	Segment total	2,542,115			2,461,699			2,446,877		175,175			232,757			223,548

	Deduct:
	Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (3)									(3,897		)	(5,635		)	(3,195		)
	Restructuring costs (4)									(6,746		)	(4,113		)	(11,661		)
	Charge for European Commission fines (4)									—			—			(49,091		)

	Add:
	Other income (5)									81,619			—			20,703

	Consolidated total	$	2,542,115		$	2,461,699		$	2,446,877	$	246,151		$	223,009		$	180,304


		Segment Assets								Goodwill
		March 31,								March 31,
		2014			2013			2012		2014			2013			2012
	Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:
	North America	$	277,028		$	295,785		$	256,546	$	—		$	—		$	—

	Other Regions (1)	1,677,654			1,682,581			1,712,970		97,367			96,667			96,564

	Subtotal	1,954,682			1,978,366			1,969,516		97,367			96,667			96,564

	Other Tobacco Operations (2)	316,225			327,789			297,403		1,713			1,713			1,713

	Segment and consolidated totals	$	2,270,907		$	2,306,155		$	2,266,919	$	99,080		$	98,380		$	98,277


		Depreciation and Amortization								Capital Expenditures
		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,								Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012		2014			2013			2012
	Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:
	North America	$	6,018		$	11,017		$	10,201	$	2,676		$	2,459		$	438

	Other Regions (1)	29,044			30,118			29,475		37,584			24,886			32,059

	Subtotal	35,062			41,135			39,676		40,260			27,345			32,497

	Other Tobacco Operations (2)	3,838			3,981			4,190		5,589			3,438			5,677

	Segment and consolidated totals	$	38,900		$	45,116		$	43,866	$	45,849		$	30,783		$	38,174


(1)	Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations.

(2)	Includes Dark Air-Cured, Oriental, and Special Services, as well as inter-company eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues, goodwill, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures include limited amounts or no amounts for Oriental because the business is accounted for on the equity method and its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of the unconsolidated affiliate. The investment in the unconsolidated affiliate is included in segment assets and was approximately $93.3 million, $91.8 million, and $89.7 million, at March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

(3)	Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income.

(4)	Restructuring costs and the fiscal year 2012 charge for European Commission fines are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.

-5	Other income in fiscal year 2014 represents the gain on the favorable outcome of the IPI tax credit case in Brazil (See Note 14). Other income in fiscal year 2012 represents a gain on proceeds received from an insurance settlement for the replacement of factory and equipment lost in a fire at a plant in Europe, as well as a gain on the sale of land and buildings in Brazil. These gains are excluded from segment operating income, but included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.
Geographic data as of, or for, the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, is presented below. Sales and other operating revenues are attributed to individual countries based on the final destination of the shipment. Long-lived assets generally consist of net property, plant, and equipment, goodwill, and other intangibles.


Geographic Data	Sales and Other Operating Revenues
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	2014			2013			2012
United States	$	304,527		$	324,285		$	315,610

Belgium	218,550			203,539			210,425

China	210,956			229,112			210,436

Netherlands	208,031			174,481			164,504

Germany	173,872			128,144			210,791

All other countries	1,426,179			1,402,138			1,335,111

Consolidated total	$	2,542,115		$	2,461,699		$	2,446,877


	Long-Lived Assets
	March 31,
	2014			2013			2012
United States	$	61,347		$	64,235		$	75,330

Brazil	135,359			137,133			139,484

Mozambique	49,543			48,016			50,475

All other countries	149,750			137,132			137,169

Consolidated total	$	395,999		$	386,516		$	402,458

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	The following table summarizes the changes in the balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 :


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	(in thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Foreign currency translation:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	(15,555	)	$	(11,850	)	$	(3,611	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
	Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(3,489), $1,815, and $3,230))	6,480			(3,370		)	(8,158		)

	Less: Net loss (gain) on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests	599			(335		)	(81		)

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	7,079			(3,705		)	(8,239		)

	Balance at end of year	$	(8,476	)	$	(15,555	)	$	(11,850	)

	Foreign currency hedge:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	(855	)	$	(942	)	$	2,482

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
	Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(312), $3,234, and $608)	580			(6,006		)	(1,129		)

	Reclassification to earnings (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(563), $(3,281), and $1,236) (1)	1,044			6,093			(2,295		)

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	1,624			87			(3,424		)

	Balance at end of year	$	769		$	(855	)	$	(942	)


	Interest rate hedge:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	(1,091	)	$	(727	)	$	—

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
	Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax benefit of $49, $515, and $302)	(93		)	(955		)	(727		)
	Reclassification to earnings (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(399) and $(319)) (2)	576			591			—

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	483			(364		)	(727		)

	Balance at end of year	$	(608	)	$	(1,091	)	$	(727	)

	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	(58,039	)	$	(66,842	)	$	(43,647	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
	Gains (losses) arising during the year (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(6,449), $96, and $14,596))(3)	11,977			(187		)	(26,517		)

	Prior service (cost) credit arising during the year (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(7,751) and $250)) (3)	14,394			—			(500		)

	Amortization included in earnings (net of tax benefit (expense) of $(3,042), $(4,841), and $(2,059)) (4)	5,651			8,990			3,822

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	32,022			8,803			(23,195		)

	Balance at end of year	$	(26,017	)	$	(58,039	)	$	(66,842	)

	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of year	$	(34,332	)	$	(75,540	)	$	(80,361	)
	(1) Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the related tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 9 for additional information.
	(2) Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the debt. See Note 9 for additional information.
	(3) These items arise from the remeasurement of the assets and liabilities of the Company's defined benefit pension plans. Those remeasurements are made on an annual basis at the end of the fiscal year. In addition, the assets and liabilities of the Company's U.S.-based pension plans were also remeasured on an interim basis during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 to reflect the effect of plan amendments adopted during the period. See Note 11 for additional information.
	(4) This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9 for additional information.

Unaudited_Quarterly_Financial_

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	'
	UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
	Unaudited quarterly financial data for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, is provided in the table below. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's business, management believes it is generally more meaningful to focus on cumulative rather than quarterly results.


		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014
	Operating Results:
	Sales and other operating revenues	$	433,528	$	650,869	$	767,802	$	689,916

	Gross profit	71,468		119,312		139,307		103,204

	Net income	53,913		29,830		44,203		27,209

	Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	58,309		25,444		38,585		26,671

	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders after dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	54,597		21,731		34,873		22,958

	Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
	Basic	2.34		0.94		1.5		0.99

	Diluted	2.05		0.9		1.36		0.94

	Cash Dividends Declared:
	Per share of convertible perpetual preferred stock	16.88		16.87		16.88		16.87

	Per share of common stock	0.5		0.5		0.51		0.51

	Market Price Range of Common Stock:
	High	61.46		63.36		54.6		58.99

	Low	54.45		48.43		50.06		49.84


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013
	Operating Results:
	Sales and other operating revenues	$	461,391	$	675,187	$	680,029	$	645,092

	Gross profit	92,030		138,049		125,441		106,897

	Net income	25,233		49,286		39,715		26,685

	Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	23,125		47,981		35,542		26,102

	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders after dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	19,413		44,268		31,830		22,389

	Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
	Basic	0.83		1.89		1.36		0.96

	Diluted	0.81		1.68		1.25		0.92

	Cash Dividends Declared:
	Per share of convertible perpetual preferred stock	16.88		16.87		16.88		16.87

	Per share of common stock	0.49		0.49		0.5		0.5

	Market Price Range of Common Stock:
	High	47.4		51.1		52.25		58.36

	Low	44.08		44.03		45.62		51.29


	Note:	Earnings per share amounts for each fiscal year may not equal the total of the four quarterly amounts due to differences in weighted-average outstanding shares for the respective periods and to the fact that the Company’s convertible perpetual preferred stock may be antidilutive for some periods.
Significant items included in the quarterly results were as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014

•	First Quarter – a gain of $81.6 million resulting from the favorable outcome of litigation by the Company’s operating subsidiary in Brazil related to previous years’ excise tax credits. The gain increased net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $53.1 million. Excluding the effect of the gain on net income attributable to Universal Corporation, the Company's outstanding convertible perpetual preferred stock would have been antidilutive to earnings per share for the quarter. As a result, the gain increased diluted earnings per share for the quarter by $1.96. For the full fiscal year, the preferred stock was dilutive to earnings per share with or without the gain, and the effect on diluted earnings per share was only $1.87.

•	Second Quarter – restructuring costs of approximately $1.3 million, primarily related to the closure of a tobacco processing facility in Brazil and consolidation of those operations into the Company's primary facility there. The restructuring costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $0.9 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.03.

•	Third Quarter – additional restructuring costs of approximately $3.4 million, primarily related to the facility closure in Brazil. The restructuring costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $2.2 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.08.

•	Fourth Quarter – restructuring costs of approximately $2.0 million, representing additional costs associated with the facility closure in Brazil and costs related to voluntary early retirement arrangements at several locations. The restructuring costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $1.3 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.04.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013

•	Second Quarter – restructuring costs of approximately $3.7 million, primarily related to workforce reductions in the Company’s operations in Africa. The restructuring costs reduced net income attributable to Universal Corporation by $1.5 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.05.

Schedule_II_Valuation_And_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts	'
	Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	Universal Corporation
	Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012



	Description		Balance at		Net		Additions		Deductions (1)			Balance
			Beginning		Additions		Charged					at End
			of Period		(Reversals) Charged		to Other					of Period
					to Expense		Accounts
	(in thousands of dollars)

	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable)		$	5,603	$	4,244	$	—	$	(1,540	)	$	8,307


	Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets)		74,938		11,929		—		(12,485		)	74,382


	Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other current assets and other noncurrent assets)		22,126		2,564		—		29			24,719



	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable)		$	8,307	$	1,788	$	—	$	(2,127	)	$	7,968


	Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets)		74,382		1,623		—		(21,612		)	54,393


	Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other current assets and other noncurrent assets)		24,719		4,005		—		(2,680		)	26,044



	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable)		$	7,968	$	419	$	—	$	(1,851	)	$	6,536


	Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets)		54,393		5,461		—		(13,776		)	46,078


	Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other current assets and other noncurrent assets)		26,044		5,607		—		(2,147		)	29,504




	-1	Includes direct write-offs of assets and currency remeasurement.

Nature_Of_Operations_And_Signi1

Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Nature Of Operations [Policy Text Block]

Nature of Operations

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Consolidation

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

2014

2013

2012

Equity in pretax earnings reported in the consolidated statements of income

3,897

5,635

3,195

Less: Equity in income taxes

(809

)

(547

)

(1,130

)

Equity in net income

3,088

5,088

2,065

Less: Dividends received on investments (1)

(6,508

)

(122

)

(16,723

)

Equity in net income, net of dividends, reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows

(3,420

)

4,966

(14,658

)

(1)

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings per Share

Calculations of earnings per share for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, are provided in Note 4.

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are classified as cash equivalents.

Advances to Suppliers [Policy Text Block]

Advances to Suppliers

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits [Policy Text Block]

Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Intangible Assets, Impairment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Translation and Remeasurement of Foreign Currencies

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Estimates and Assumptions

Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]

Accounting Pronouncements

Reclassifications [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Nature_Of_Operations_And_Signi2

Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation Of Equity In Unconsolidated Affiliates	'
	The following table provides a reconciliation of (1) equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, as reported in the consolidated statements of income to (2) equity in the net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends, as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012


	Equity in pretax earnings reported in the consolidated statements of income	$	3,897		$	5,635		$	3,195

	Less: Equity in income taxes	(809		)	(547		)	(1,130		)
	Equity in net income	3,088			5,088			2,065

	Less: Dividends received on investments (1)	(6,508		)	(122		)	(16,723		)
	Equity in net income, net of dividends, reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows	$	(3,420	)	$	4,966		$	(14,658	)


	(1)	In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method that represent a return on capital (i.e., a return of earnings on a cumulative basis) are presented as operating cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Restructuring_Costs_Tables

Restructuring Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]	'
Cumulative Restructuring Costs	'
	A summary of the restructuring costs incurred during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 is as follows:


		Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012

	Employee termination benefits	$	3,743		$	4,113		$	8,564

	Other restructuring costs	3,003			—			3,097

	Total restructuring costs incurred	$	6,746		$	4,113		$	11,661

Reconciliation Of Company's Liability For The Restructuring Costs	'
	A reconciliation of the Company’s liability for employee termination benefits and other restructuring costs for fiscal years 2012 through 2014 is as follows:


		Employee			Other Costs			Total
		Termination
		Benefits
	Balance at April 1, 2011	$	6,386		$	225		$	6,611

	Fiscal Year 2012 Activity:
	Costs charged to expense	8,564			3,097			11,661

	Payments	(13,679		)	(3,031		)	(16,710		)
	Balance at March 31, 2012	1,271			291			1,562

	Fiscal Year 2013 Activity:
	Costs charged to expense	4,113			—			4,113

	Payments	(5,002		)	(291		)	(5,293		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	382			—			382

	Fiscal Year 2014 Activity:
	Costs charged to expense	3,743			3,003			6,746

	Payments	(2,099		)	(2,843		)	(4,942		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	2,026		$	160		$	2,186

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Basic Earnings Per Share
	Numerator for basic earnings per share
	Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$	149,009		$	132,750		$	92,057

	Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	(14,850		)	(14,850		)	(14,850		)
	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for	134,159			117,900			77,207
	calculation of basic earnings per share

	Denominator for basic earnings per share
	Weighted average shares outstanding	23,239			23,355			23,228


	Basic earnings per share	$	5.77		$	5.05		$	3.32


	Diluted Earnings Per Share
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share
	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$	134,159		$	117,900		$	77,207

	Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)	14,850			14,850			14,850

	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for	149,009			132,750			92,057
	calculation of diluted earnings per share

	Denominator for diluted earnings per share
	Weighted average shares outstanding	23,239			23,355			23,228

	Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed)
	Convertible perpetual preferred stock	4,822			4,797			4,772

	Employee share-based awards	331			326			339

	Denominator for diluted earnings per share	28,392			28,478			28,339


	Diluted earnings per share	$	5.25		$	4.66		$	3.25

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company had the following potentially dilutive securities (stock appreciation rights and/or stock options) outstanding that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2013			2012			2011

	Potentially dilutive securities (shares in thousands)	169			169			348

	Weighted-average exercise price	$	62.66		$	62.66		$	56.75

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Components of Income Tax Expense	'
	Income taxes consisted of the following:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current
	United States	$	1,433			$	(3,465	)		$	2,871

	State and local	507				682				(2,064		)

	Foreign	75,770				57,355				53,582

		77,710				54,572				54,389

	Deferred
	United States	1,686				1,746				4,796

	State and local	275				279				444

	Foreign	(4,136		)		9,769				1,530

		(2,175		)		11,794				6,770

	Total	$	75,535			$	66,366			$	61,159

Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Statutory tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit	0.2			0.3			(0.7	)

	Nondeductible European Commission fine	—			—			8.6

	Dividends received from deconsolidated operations	(0.9	)		(1.5	)		(1.8	)
	Other, including changes in liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions	(1.6	)		(1.8	)		(3.3	)
	Effective income tax rate	32.7	%		32	%		37.8	%
Schedule Of U.S. And Foreign Components Of Income Before Income Taxes And Other Items	'
	The U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes and other items were as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	United States	$	9,156			$	(4,161	)		$	21,773

	Foreign	221,534				211,446				140,205

	Total	$	230,690			$	207,285			$	161,978

Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	Significant components of deferred tax liabilities and assets were as follows:


		March 31,
		2014				2013
	Liabilities
	Foreign withholding taxes	$	30,147			$	25,074

	Undistributed earnings	23,865				32,346

	Goodwill	30,851				30,851

	All other	12,471				14,099

	Total deferred tax liabilities	$	97,334			$	102,370


	Assets
	Employee benefit plans	$	40,816			$	60,397

	Reserves and accruals	32,248				32,795

	Deferred income	4,013				4,732

	Deferred compensation	1,035				3,616

	All other	7,784				12,292

	Total deferred tax assets	85,896				113,832

	Valuation allowance	(1,252		)		(1,252		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	84,644			$	112,580

Schedule Of Combined Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Allocable To Continuing Operations, Other Comprehensive Income, And Adjustments To Shareholders' Equity	'
	The combined income tax expense (benefit) allocable to continuing operations, other comprehensive income, and direct adjustments to shareholders' equity was as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Continuing operations	$	75,535			$	66,366			$	61,159

	Other comprehensive income	22,190				2,600				(18,296		)

	Direct adjustments to shareholders' equity	(972		)		(1,052		)		(285		)
	Total	$	96,753			$	67,914			$	42,578

Reconciliation Of The Gross Liability For Uncertain Tax Positions	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the gross liability for uncertain tax positions for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, is as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Liability for uncertain tax positions, beginning of year	$	5,385			$	7,913			$	9,223

	Additions:
	Related to tax positions for the current year	194				191				262

	Related to tax positions for prior years	168				—				1,072

	Reductions:
	Due to settlements with tax jurisdictions	—				(66		)		(698		)

	Due to lapses of statutes of limitations	(1,776		)		(2,339		)		(1,213		)
	Effect of currency rate movement	(162		)		(314		)		(733		)
	Liability for uncertain tax positions, end of year	$	3,809			$	5,385			$	7,913

LongTerm_Obligations_Tables

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Long-Term Obligations	'
	The Company's long-term obligations at March 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:


		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Medium-term notes	$	100,000		$	300,000

	Senior bank term loan	175,000			—

	Amortizing senior bank term loan	81,250			92,500

	Total outstanding	356,250			392,500

	Less: current portion	(116,250		)	(211,250		)
	Long-term obligations	$	240,000		$	181,250

Derivatives_And_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives And Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Notional Amount of Forward Contracts	'
	The aggregate U.S. dollar notional amount of forward contracts entered for these purposes during fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 was as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	(in millions)	2014				2013				2012
	Tobacco purchases	$	126.1			$	158.9			$	182.5

	Processing costs	26.8				34.3				48.3

	Total	$	152.9			$	193.2			$	230.8

Effect Of Derivative Financial Instruments On The Consolidated Statements Of Income	'
	The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s use of derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Fair Value Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements
	Derivative
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	—			$	—			$	3,195

	Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Interest expense
	Hedged Item
	Description of hedged item	Fixed rate long-term debt
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	—			$	—			$	(3,195	)

	Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Interest expense

	Cash Flow Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements
	Derivative
	Effective Portion of Hedge
	Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(142	)		$	(1,470	)		$	(1,119	)
	Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	$	(886	)		$	(910	)		$	—

	Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	Interest expense
	Ineffective Portion of Hedge
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	—			$	—			$	—

	Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Selling, general and administrative expenses
	Hedged Item
	Description of hedged item	Floating rate interest payments on term loan

	Cash Flow Hedges - Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
	Derivative
	Effective Portion of Hedge
	Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(1,635	)		$	(8,709	)		$	2,652

	Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive	$	(3,844	)		$	(8,741	)		$	5,882
	loss into earnings
	Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other	Cost of goods sold
	comprehensive loss into earnings
	Ineffective Portion and Early De-designation of Hedges
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	(1,839	)		$	(1,325	)		$	857

	Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Selling, general and administrative expenses
	Hedged Item
	Description of hedged item	Forecast purchases of tobacco in Brazil

	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges -
	Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	(6,609	)		$	(3,115	)		$	1,829

	Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Selling, general and administrative expenses
Effect Of Derivative Financial Instruments On The Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The table below outlines the effects of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position										Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position
		Balance		Fair Value as of March 31,								Balance	Fair Value as of March 31,
		Sheet										Sheet
		Location		2014				2013				Location	2014		2013
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate swap agreements	Other		$	—			$	—			Other	$	936	$	1,679
		non-current										long-term
		assets										liabilities

	Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	Other		1,731				—				Accounts	13		810
		current										payable and
		assets										accrued
												expenses
	Total			$	1,731			$	—				$	949	$	2,489


	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	Other		$	343			$	—			Accounts	$	3,960	$	331
		current										payable and
		assets										accrued
												expenses
	Total			$	343			$	—				$	3,960	$	331

	Substantially all of the Company's forward foreign exchange contracts are subject to master netting arrangements, whereby the right to offset occurs in the event of default by a participating party. The Company has elected to present these contracts on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheets.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Financial Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis	'
	At March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are listed in the tables below and are classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy:


		31-Mar-14
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Money market funds	$	—		$	1,527		$	—	$	1,527

	Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans	19,754			—			—		19,754

	Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	—			2,074			—		2,074

	Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value	$	19,754		$	3,601		$	—	$	23,355


	Liabilities
	Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers	$	—		$	—		$	2,270	$	2,270

	Interest rate swap agreements	—			936			—		936

	Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	—			3,973			—		3,973

	Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value	$	—		$	4,909		$	2,270	$	7,179



		31-Mar-13
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Money market funds	$	—		$	174,551		$	—	$	174,551

	Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans	19,168			—			—		19,168

	Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value	$	19,168		$	174,551		$	—	$	193,719


	Liabilities
	Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers	$	—		$	—		$	4,235	$	4,235

	Interest rate swap agreements	—			1,679			—		1,679

	Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	—			1,141			—		1,141

	Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value	$	—		$	2,820		$	4,235	$	7,055

Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	'
	A reconciliation of the change in the balance of the financial liability for guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers (Level 3) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is provided below.


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	4,235		$	5,932

	Payments under the guarantees and transfers to allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (removal of prior crop year loans from the portfolio)	(7,463		)	(7,352		)
	Provision for loss or transfers from allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (addition of current crop year loans)	5,566			5,690

	Change in discount rate and estimated collection period	130			135

	Currency remeasurement	(198		)	(170		)
	Balance at end of year	$	2,270		$	4,235

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme1

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Assumptions Used To Compute Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Benefit Obligations	'
	Assumptions used for financial reporting purposes to compute net periodic benefit cost and benefit obligations for the Company's primary defined benefit plans were as follows:


		Pension Benefits									Other Postretirement Benefits
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Discount rates:
	Benefit cost for plan year	4.2	%		4.6	%		5.5	%		3.9	%		4.4	%		5.5	%
	Benefit obligation at end of plan year	4.5	%		4.2	%		4.6	%		4.3	%		3.9	%		4.4	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets:
	Benefit cost for plan year	8	%		8	%		8	%		4.3	%		4.3	%		4.3	%
	Benefit obligation at end of plan year	7.75	%		8	%		8	%		4.3	%		4.3	%		4.3	%
	Salary scale:
	Benefit cost for plan year	5	%		5	%		5	%		5	%		5	%		5	%
	Benefit obligation at end of plan year	4.5	%		5	%		5	%		4.5	%		5	%		5	%
	Healthcare cost trend rate	N/A			N/A			N/A			7.4	%		7.6	%		7.8	%
	Healthcare cost trend rate	N/A			N/A			N/A			7.4	%		7.6	%		7.8	%
Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, And Funded Status	'
	The following table reflects the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets in 2014 and 2013, and the funded status of the plans at March 31, 2014 and 2013:


		Pension								Other Postretirement Benefits
		Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
		March 31,								March 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	258,240			$	280,626			$	—			$	—
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	258,240			$	280,626			$	—			$	—
	Projected benefit obligation	259,928				299,161				41,846				48,970
	Projected benefit obligation	259,928				299,161				41,846				48,970

	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	299,161			$	302,632			$	48,970			$	48,784
	Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	299,161			$	302,632			$	48,970			$	48,784
	Service cost	5,190				4,650				527				467
	Service cost	5,190				4,650				527				467
	Interest cost	12,223				13,001				2,106				2,303
	Interest cost	12,223				13,001				2,106				2,303
	Effect of discount rate change	(8,316		)		13,798				(2,483		)		3,068
	Effect of discount rate change	(8,316		)		13,798				(2,483		)		3,068
	Plan amendment	(22,145		)		—				—				—
	Plan amendment	(22,145		)		—				—				—
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	22				(1,528		)		—				—
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	22				(1,528		)		—				—
	Settlements	(2,136		)		(13,027		)		—				—
	Settlements	(2,136		)		(13,027		)		—				—
	Other	(2,586		)		(6,420		)		(4,282		)		(2,733		)
	Benefit payments	(21,485		)		(13,945		)		(2,992		)		(2,919		)
	Projected benefit obligation, end of year	$	259,928			$	299,161			$	41,846			$	48,970
	Projected benefit obligation, end of year	$	259,928			$	299,161			$	41,846			$	48,970

	Change in plan assets:
	Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year	$	205,942			$	199,525			$	2,932			$	3,062
	Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year	$	205,942			$	199,525			$	2,932			$	3,062
	Actual return on plan assets	15,758				22,865				97				151
	Actual return on plan assets	15,758				22,865				97				151
	Employer contributions	17,866				11,552				2,498				2,638
	Employer contributions	17,866				11,552				2,498				2,638
	Settlements	(2,136		)		(13,027		)		—				—
	Settlements	(2,136		)		(13,027		)		—				—
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(2,663		)		(1,028		)		—				—
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(2,663		)		(1,028		)		—				—
	Benefit payments	(21,485		)		(13,945		)		(2,992		)		(2,919		)
	Plan assets at fair value, end of year	$	213,282			$	205,942			$	2,535			$	2,932
	Plan assets at fair value, end of year	$	213,282			$	205,942			$	2,535			$	2,932

	Funded status:
	Funded status of the plans, end of year	$	(46,646	)		$	(93,219	)		$	(39,311	)		$	(46,038	)
Funded Status In Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The funded status of the Company’s plans at the end of fiscal years 2014 and 2013 was reported in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:


		Pension								Other Postretirement Benefits
		Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
		March 31,								March 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Non-current asset (included in other noncurrent assets)	$	2,476			$	1,280			$	—			$	—
	Non-current asset (included in other noncurrent assets)	$	2,476			$	1,280			$	—			$	—
	Current liability (included in accounts payable and accrued expenses)	(764		)		(1,581		)		(2,587		)		(3,327		)
	Non-current liability (reported as pensions and other postretirement benefits)	(48,358		)		(92,918		)		(36,724		)		(42,711		)
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets	$	(46,646	)		$	(93,219	)		$	(39,311	)		$	(46,038	)
Additional Information On Funded Status	'
	Additional information on the funded status of the Company’s plans as of the respective measurement dates for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, is as follows:


		Pension								Other Postretirement Benefits
		Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
		March 31,								March 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	For plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
	Aggregate projected benefit obligation (PBO)	$	254,117			$	290,142			$	41,846			$	48,970
	Aggregate projected benefit obligation (PBO)	$	254,117			$	290,142			$	41,846			$	48,970
	Aggregate fair value of plan assets	204,995				195,642				2,535				2,932
	Aggregate fair value of plan assets	204,995				195,642				2,535				2,932
	For plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
	Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)	243,496				272,148				N/A				N/A
	Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)	243,496				272,148				N/A				N/A
	Aggregate fair value of plan assets	195,627				195,642				N/A				N/A
	Aggregate fair value of plan assets	195,627				195,642				N/A				N/A
Components Of Company's Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost were as follows:


		Pension Benefits												Other Postretirement Benefits
		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,												Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014				2013				2012				2014				2013			2012
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	5,190			$	4,650			$	4,614			$	527			$	467		$	591
	Service cost	$	5,190			$	4,650			$	4,614			$	527			$	467		$	591
	Interest cost	12,223				13,001				13,959				2,106				2,303			2,636
	Interest cost	12,223				13,001				13,959				2,106				2,303			2,636
	Expected return on plan assets	(14,218		)		(14,632		)		(14,958		)		(119		)		(124		)	(134		)
	Settlement cost	1,094				3,304				—				—				—			—
	Settlement cost	1,094				3,304				—				—				—			—
	Net amortization and deferral	6,779				10,299				6,309				(5		)		(8		)	(335		)
	Net amortization and deferral	6,779				10,299				6,309				(5		)		(8		)	(335		)
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	11,068			$	16,622			$	9,924			$	2,509			$	2,638		$	2,758
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	11,068			$	16,622			$	9,924			$	2,509			$	2,638		$	2,758
Recognized In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) On Pretax Basis	'
	The amounts recognized in other comprehensive income or loss for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 and the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the end of those fiscal years are shown below.


		Pension								Other Postretirement Benefits
		Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
		March 31,								March 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Change in net actuarial loss (gain):
	Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of year	$	93,357			$	108,171			$	(3,918	)		$	(4,644	)
	Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of year	$	93,357			$	108,171			$	(3,918	)		$	(4,644	)
	Losses (gains) arising during the year	(12,834		)		(928		)		(6,039		)		717
	Losses (gains) arising during the year	(12,834		)		(928		)		(6,039		)		717
	Reclassification adjustments during the year	(10,035		)		(13,886		)		5				9
	Reclassification adjustments during the year	(10,035		)		(13,886		)		5				9
	Net actuarial loss (gain), end of year	70,488				93,357				(9,952		)		(3,918		)
	Net actuarial loss (gain), end of year	70,488				93,357				(9,952		)		(3,918		)

	Change in prior service cost (benefit):
	Prior service cost (benefit), beginning of year	(2,617		)		(3,080		)		226				500
	Prior service cost (benefit), beginning of year	(2,617		)		(3,080		)		226				500
	Prior service cost (benefit) arising during the year	(22,145		)		—				—				—
	Prior service cost (benefit) arising during the year	(22,145		)		—				—				—
	Reclassification adjustments during the year	1,764				463				(226		)		(274		)
	Reclassification adjustments during the year	1,764				463				(226		)		(274		)
	Prior service cost (benefit), end of year	(22,998		)		(2,617		)		—				226
	Prior service cost (benefit), end of year	(22,998		)		(2,617		)		—				226

	Total amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	47,490			$	90,740			$	(9,952	)		$	(3,692	)
	at end of year, before income taxes	$	47,490			$	90,740			$	(9,952	)		$	(3,692	)
Weighted-Average Target Pension Asset Allocation And Target Ranges By Major Asset Category	'
	The weighted–average target pension asset allocation and target ranges at the March 31, 2014 measurement date and the actual asset allocations at the March 31, 2014 and 2013 measurement dates by major asset category were as follows:


										Actual Allocation
		Target Allocation								March 31,
	Major Asset Category	Target Allocation			Range					2014			2013
	Equity securities	46	%		36	%	-	56%		48.3	%		57	%
	Fixed income securities (1)	44	%		34	%	-	54%		41.3	%		32.6	%
	Alternative investments	10	%		5	%	-	15%		10.4	%		10.4	%
	Total	100	%							100	%		100	%


Estimated Future Benefit Payments	'
	Estimated future benefit payments to be made from the Company’s plans are as follows:


	Fiscal Year:	Pension				Other
		Benefits				Postretirement
						Benefits
	2015	$	16,906			$	2,976
	2015	$	16,906			$	2,976
	2016	16,855				3,007
	2016	16,855				3,007
	2017	18,967				3,035
	2017	18,967				3,035
	2018	15,243				3,008
	2018	15,243				3,008
	2019	19,842				3,058
	2019	19,842				3,058
	2020 - 2024	87,632				14,908
	2020 - 2024	87,632				14,908
Fair Values Of The Assets Under Fair Value Hierarchy	'
	Fair values of the assets of the Company’s pension plans as of March 31, 2014 and 2013, classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy are as follows:


		March 31, 2014
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Equity securities	$	93,229			$	—			$	—			$	93,229
	Equity securities	$	93,229			$	—			$	—			$	93,229
	Fixed income securities (1)	80,567				8,287				11,266				100,120
	Fixed income securities (1)	80,567				8,287				11,266				100,120
	Alternative investments	—				—				19,933				19,933
	Alternative investments	—				—				19,933				19,933
	Total investments	$	173,796			$	8,287			$	31,199			$	213,282
	Total investments	$	173,796			$	8,287			$	31,199			$	213,282


		March 31, 2013
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Equity securities	$	107,164			$	—			$	—			$	107,164
	Equity securities	$	107,164			$	—			$	—			$	107,164
	Fixed income securities (1)	61,553				10,300				7,435				79,288
	Fixed income securities (1)	61,553				10,300				7,435				79,288
	Alternative investments	—				—				19,490				19,490
	Alternative investments	—				—				19,490				19,490
	Total investments	$	168,717			$	10,300			$	26,925			$	205,942
	Total investments	$	168,717			$	10,300			$	26,925			$	205,942

Common_And_Preferred_Stock_Com

Common And Preferred Stock Common and Preferred Stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Repurchases of Shares [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Repurchases Of Shares [Table Text Block]	'
	Total share repurchases under the programs for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Number of shares repurchased	238,486		169,432		80,191

	Cost of shares repurchased (in thousands of dollars)	$	14,145	$	8,631	$	3,488

	Weighted-average cost per share	$	59.31	$	50.94	$	43.49

Executive_Stock_Plans_And_Stoc1

Executive Stock Plans And Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary Of Stock Option And SAR Activity	'
	The following tables summarize the Company’s stock option and SAR activity and related information for fiscal years 2012 through 2014:


		Shares		Weighted-Average			Weighted-Average Contractual Term		Aggregate
				Exercise			(in years)		Intrinsic
				Price					Value
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012:
	Outstanding at beginning of year	922,598		$	45.94

	Granted	170,400		37.86

	Exercised	(195,948	)	35.82

	Cancelled/expired	(41,200	)	59.25

	Outstanding at end of year	855,850		46.01


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013:
	Exercised	(407,758	)	41.21

	Cancelled/expired	(29,615	)	54.83

	Outstanding at end of year	418,477		50.07


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014:
	Exercised	(161,137	)	42.48

	Outstanding at end of year	257,340		$	54.83		3.48		$	1,418


	Exercisable at end of year	207,068		$	58.95		2.58		$	512

	Expected to vest in future periods	50,272		$	37.86		7.2		$	906

Intrinsic Value And Fair Value Of SARs	'


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised	$	2,816		$	4,249		$	1,745

	Total fair value of SARs vested	$	769		$	1,460		$	1,713

Summary Of RSU, Restricted Stock, And PSA Activity	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU, restricted stock, and PSA activity for fiscal years 2012 through 2014:


		RSUs					Restricted Stock					PSAs
		Shares		Weighted-Average			Shares			Weighted-Average		Shares		Weighted-Average
				Grant Date						Grant Date				Grant Date
				Fair Value						Fair Value				Fair Value
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012:
	Unvested at beginning of year	246,816		$	44.07		77,750			$	40.77	131,419		$	34.59

	Granted	84,290		38.28			—			—		57,383		35.56

	Vested	(39,827	)	35.94			(10,350	)		37.52		(44,352	)	45.96

	Forfeited	—		—			—			—		(1,984	)	33.3

	Unvested at end of year	291,279		43.72			67,400			41.91		142,466		31.45


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013:
	Granted	87,780		44.06			—			—		92,425		35.25

	Vested	(86,925	)	52.42			(7,550	)		43.74		(94,725	)	29.67

	Forfeited	—		—			—			—		(5,149	)	36.15

	Unvested at end of year	292,134		41.23			59,850			41.68		135,017		35.12


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014:
	Granted	70,092		57.79			—			—		52,400		53.56

	Vested	(69,046	)	44.89			(11,750	)		39.02		(32,464	)	33.95

	Forfeited	—		—			—			—		(5,566	)	37.45

	Unvested at end of year	293,180		$	44.33		48,100			$	42.33	149,387		$	41.76

Assumptions Used To Estimate Grant Date Fair Value Of SARs	'
	The fair values of the SARs granted in fiscal year 2012 were estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model and the following assumptions:


	Assumptions:
	Expected term		5.0 years
	Expected volatility		35.80%
	Expected dividend yield		5.07%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.66%

	Resulting fair value of SARs granted		$7.46
Stock-Based Compensation Expense And Related Income Tax Benefit Recognized	'
	For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, total stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized were as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	6,278		$	6,171		$	5,987

	Income tax benefit recorded on stock-based compensation expense	$	2,197		$	2,160		$	2,095

Commitments_And_Other_Matters_

Commitments And Other Matters (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Other Matters [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Accounts Receivable By Reportable Operating Segment	'
	At March 31, 2014 and 2013, net accounts receivable by reportable operating segment were as follows:


		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:
	North America	$	64,195	$	56,256

	Other regions	362,146		297,615

	Subtotal	426,341		353,871

	Other tobacco operations	41,674		47,876

	Consolidated accounts receivable, net	$	468,015	$	401,747

Operating_Segments_Tables

Operating Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Results For The Company's Reportable Segments	'
	Reportable segment data as of, or for, the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, is as follows:


		Sales and Other Operating Revenues						Operating Income
		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,						Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014		2013		2012		2014			2013			2012
	Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:
	North America	$	348,627	$	334,676	$	314,248	$	23,217		$	19,740		$	30,037

	Other Regions (1)	1,932,228		1,871,880		1,893,388		133,447			192,556			180,670

	Subtotal	2,280,855		2,206,556		2,207,636		156,664			212,296			210,707

	Other Tobacco Operations (2)	261,260		255,143		239,241		18,511			20,461			12,841

	Segment total	2,542,115		2,461,699		2,446,877		175,175			232,757			223,548

	Deduct:
	Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (3)							(3,897		)	(5,635		)	(3,195		)
	Restructuring costs (4)							(6,746		)	(4,113		)	(11,661		)
	Charge for European Commission fines (4)							—			—			(49,091		)

	Add:
	Other income (5)							81,619			—			20,703

	Consolidated total	$	2,542,115	$	2,461,699	$	2,446,877	$	246,151		$	223,009		$	180,304


		Segment Assets						Goodwill
		March 31,						March 31,
		2014		2013		2012		2014			2013			2012
	Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:
	North America	$	277,028	$	295,785	$	256,546	$	—		$	—		$	—

	Other Regions (1)	1,677,654		1,682,581		1,712,970		97,367			96,667			96,564

	Subtotal	1,954,682		1,978,366		1,969,516		97,367			96,667			96,564

	Other Tobacco Operations (2)	316,225		327,789		297,403		1,713			1,713			1,713

	Segment and consolidated totals	$	2,270,907	$	2,306,155	$	2,266,919	$	99,080		$	98,380		$	98,277


		Depreciation and Amortization						Capital Expenditures
		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,						Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014		2013		2012		2014			2013			2012
	Flue-cured and burley leaf tobacco operations:
	North America	$	6,018	$	11,017	$	10,201	$	2,676		$	2,459		$	438

	Other Regions (1)	29,044		30,118		29,475		37,584			24,886			32,059

	Subtotal	35,062		41,135		39,676		40,260			27,345			32,497

	Other Tobacco Operations (2)	3,838		3,981		4,190		5,589			3,438			5,677

	Segment and consolidated totals	$	38,900	$	45,116	$	43,866	$	45,849		$	30,783		$	38,174


	(1)	Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations.

	(2)	Includes Dark Air-Cured, Oriental, and Special Services, as well as inter-company eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues, goodwill, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures include limited amounts or no amounts for Oriental because the business is accounted for on the equity method and its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of the unconsolidated affiliate. The investment in the unconsolidated affiliate is included in segment assets and was approximately $93.3 million, $91.8 million, and $89.7 million, at March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

	(3)	Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income.

(4)	Restructuring costs and the fiscal year 2012 charge for European Commission fines are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.

-5	Other income in fiscal year 2014 represents the gain on the favorable outcome of the IPI tax credit case in Brazil (See Note 14). Other income in fiscal year 2012 represents a gain on proceeds received from an insurance settlement for the replacement of factory and equipment lost in a fire at a plant in Europe, as well as a gain on the sale of land and buildings in Brazil. These gains are excluded from segment operating income, but included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.
Schedule Of Sales And Long-Lived Assets By Country	'


	Geographic Data	Sales and Other Operating Revenues
		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	United States	$	304,527	$	324,285	$	315,610

	Belgium	218,550		203,539		210,425

	China	210,956		229,112		210,436

	Netherlands	208,031		174,481		164,504

	Germany	173,872		128,144		210,791

	All other countries	1,426,179		1,402,138		1,335,111

	Consolidated total	$	2,542,115	$	2,461,699	$	2,446,877


		Long-Lived Assets
		March 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	United States	$	61,347	$	64,235	$	75,330

	Brazil	135,359		137,133		139,484

	Mozambique	49,543		48,016		50,475

	All other countries	149,750		137,132		137,169

	Consolidated total	$	395,999	$	386,516	$	402,458

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in the balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 :


		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	(in thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Foreign currency translation:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	(15,555	)	$	(11,850	)	$	(3,611	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
	Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(3,489), $1,815, and $3,230))	6,480			(3,370		)	(8,158		)

	Less: Net loss (gain) on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests	599			(335		)	(81		)

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	7,079			(3,705		)	(8,239		)

	Balance at end of year	$	(8,476	)	$	(15,555	)	$	(11,850	)

	Foreign currency hedge:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	(855	)	$	(942	)	$	2,482

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
	Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(312), $3,234, and $608)	580			(6,006		)	(1,129		)

	Reclassification to earnings (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(563), $(3,281), and $1,236) (1)	1,044			6,093			(2,295		)

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	1,624			87			(3,424		)

	Balance at end of year	$	769		$	(855	)	$	(942	)


	Interest rate hedge:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	(1,091	)	$	(727	)	$	—

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
	Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax benefit of $49, $515, and $302)	(93		)	(955		)	(727		)
	Reclassification to earnings (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(399) and $(319)) (2)	576			591			—

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	483			(364		)	(727		)

	Balance at end of year	$	(608	)	$	(1,091	)	$	(727	)

	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	(58,039	)	$	(66,842	)	$	(43,647	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:
	Gains (losses) arising during the year (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(6,449), $96, and $14,596))(3)	11,977			(187		)	(26,517		)

	Prior service (cost) credit arising during the year (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(7,751) and $250)) (3)	14,394			—			(500		)

	Amortization included in earnings (net of tax benefit (expense) of $(3,042), $(4,841), and $(2,059)) (4)	5,651			8,990			3,822

	Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	32,022			8,803			(23,195		)

	Balance at end of year	$	(26,017	)	$	(58,039	)	$	(66,842	)

	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of year	$	(34,332	)	$	(75,540	)	$	(80,361	)
	(1) Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the related tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 9 for additional information.
	(2) Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the debt. See Note 9 for additional information.
	(3) These items arise from the remeasurement of the assets and liabilities of the Company's defined benefit pension plans. Those remeasurements are made on an annual basis at the end of the fiscal year. In addition, the assets and liabilities of the Company's U.S.-based pension plans were also remeasured on an interim basis during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 to reflect the effect of plan amendments adopted during the period. See Note 11 for additional information.
	(4) This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9 for additional information.

Unaudited_Quarterly_Financial_1

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	'


		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014
	Operating Results:
	Sales and other operating revenues	$	433,528	$	650,869	$	767,802	$	689,916

	Gross profit	71,468		119,312		139,307		103,204

	Net income	53,913		29,830		44,203		27,209

	Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	58,309		25,444		38,585		26,671

	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders after dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	54,597		21,731		34,873		22,958

	Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
	Basic	2.34		0.94		1.5		0.99

	Diluted	2.05		0.9		1.36		0.94

	Cash Dividends Declared:
	Per share of convertible perpetual preferred stock	16.88		16.87		16.88		16.87

	Per share of common stock	0.5		0.5		0.51		0.51

	Market Price Range of Common Stock:
	High	61.46		63.36		54.6		58.99

	Low	54.45		48.43		50.06		49.84


	Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013
	Operating Results:
	Sales and other operating revenues	$	461,391	$	675,187	$	680,029	$	645,092

	Gross profit	92,030		138,049		125,441		106,897

	Net income	25,233		49,286		39,715		26,685

	Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	23,125		47,981		35,542		26,102

	Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders after dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	19,413		44,268		31,830		22,389

	Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
	Basic	0.83		1.89		1.36		0.96

	Diluted	0.81		1.68		1.25		0.92

	Cash Dividends Declared:
	Per share of convertible perpetual preferred stock	16.88		16.87		16.88		16.87

	Per share of common stock	0.49		0.49		0.5		0.5

	Market Price Range of Common Stock:
	High	47.4		51.1		52.25		58.36

	Low	44.08		44.03		45.62		51.29

Nature_Of_Operations_And_Signi3

Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Number of countries in which entity operates	30		'		'
Dividends received on equity method investments	$6,508,000	[1]	$122,000	[1]	$16,723,000	[1]
Advances to suppliers, current and non-current	190,000,000		199,100,000		'
Valuation allowance amount related to advances to suppliers	46,100,000		54,400,000		'
Provision for loss on uncollectible advances to suppliers	5,500,000		1,600,000		11,900,000
Advances to suppliers on which interest has been discontinued	23,000,000		40,000,000		'
Aggregate balance of recoverable value added tax credits	66,000,000		73,000,000		'
Valuation allowance on recoverable value added tax credits	30,000,000		26,000,000		'
Brazil audit assessment for tax, penalties, and interest on recoverable value added tax credits	21,000,000		'		'
Reduced Brazil audit assessment for tax, penalties, and interest on recoverable value added tax credits	'		16,000,000		'
Interest costs capitalized	0		0		0
Amount charged for goodwill impairment	0		0		0
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	0		0		0
Foreign currency remeasurement gain (loss)	14,300,000		10,600,000		-2,300,000
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)	-6,000,000		-1,000,000		4,200,000
Percentage of revenue earned from processing tobacco owned by customers	5.00%		'		'
Zimbabwe [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Investment in deconsolidated subsidiary	0		0		'
Net foreign currency translation loss	7,200,000		'		'
Minimum [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Brazil audit assessment for tax, penalties, and interest on recoverable value added tax credits	0		'		'
Minimum [Member] \| Buildings [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Estimated useful life	'15 years		'		'
Minimum [Member] \| Processing And Packing Machinery [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Estimated useful life	'3 years		'		'
Minimum [Member] \| Transport Equipment [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Estimated useful life	'3 years		'		'
Minimum [Member] \| Computer Equipment [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Estimated useful life	'3 years		'		'
Maximum [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Brazil audit assessment for tax, penalties, and interest on recoverable value added tax credits	$16,000,000		'		'
Maximum [Member] \| Buildings [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Estimated useful life	'40 years		'		'
Maximum [Member] \| Processing And Packing Machinery [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Estimated useful life	'11 years		'		'
Maximum [Member] \| Transport Equipment [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Estimated useful life	'10 years		'		'
Maximum [Member] \| Computer Equipment [Member]	'		'		'
Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'		'		'
Estimated useful life	'10 years		'		'

[1]	(1)B In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method that represent a return on capital (i.e., a return of earnings on a cumulative basis) are presented as operating cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Nature_Of_Operations_And_Signi4

Nature Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies (Reconciliation Of Equity In Unconsolidated Affiliates) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'		'		'
Equity in pretax earnings reported in the consolidated statements of income	$3,897	[1]	$5,635	[1]	$3,195	[1]
Less: Equity in income taxes	-809		-547		-1,130
Equity in net income	3,088		5,088		2,065
Less: Dividends received on investments	6,508	[2]	122	[2]	16,723	[2]
Equity in net income, net of dividends, reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows	($3,420)		$4,966		($14,658)

[1]	Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income.
[2]	(1)B In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method that represent a return on capital (i.e., a return of earnings on a cumulative basis) are presented as operating cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Restructuring_Costs_Narrative_

Restructuring Costs (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	$6,746	$4,113	$11,661
Facility Consolidation [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	4,000	'	'
Termination Of Business Arrangements With Supplier And Processor [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other restructuring costs	'	'	3,100
Other Regions [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	'	$4,100	'

Restructuring_Costs_Cumulative

Restructuring Costs (Cumulative Restructuring Costs) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	$6,746	$4,113	$11,661
Employee Termination Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employee termination benefits	3,743	4,113	8,564
Other Restructuring [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other restructuring costs	$3,003	$0	$3,097

Restructuring_Costs_Reconcilia

Restructuring Costs (Reconciliation Of Company's Liability For The Restructuring Costs) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Costs charged to expense	$6,746	$4,113	$11,661	'
Payments	-4,942	-5,293	-16,710	'
Balance	2,186	382	1,562	6,611
Employee Termination Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employee termination benefits	3,743	4,113	8,564	'
Payments	-2,099	-5,002	-13,679	'
Balance	2,026	382	1,271	6,386
Other Restructuring [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other restructuring costs	3,003	0	3,097	'
Payments	-2,843	-291	-3,031	'
Balance	$160	$0	$291	$225

European_Commission_Fines_And_1

European Commission Fines And Other Legal And Tax Matters (Details)	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 09, 2011	Sep. 09, 2011	Nov. 15, 2005
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	Italy [Member]	Italy [Member]	Italy [Member]
		USD ($)	EUR (€)	EUR (€)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fines Imposed By European Commission	'	'	€ 30	€ 30
Charge Recorded To Accrue European Commission Fine	'	49.1	'	'
Accumulated interest on European Commission fine	'	'	5.9	'
Collateralized guaranteed bank deposit	$53.30	'	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator for basic earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$26,671	$38,585	$25,444	$58,309	$26,102	$35,542	$47,981	$23,125	$149,009	$132,750	$92,057
Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-14,850	-14,850	-14,850
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	22,958	34,873	21,731	54,597	22,389	31,830	44,268	19,413	134,159	117,900	77,207
Denominator for basic earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	23,239	23,355	23,228
Basic earnings per share	$0.99	$1.50	$0.94	$2.34	$0.96	$1.36	$1.89	$0.83	$5.77	$5.05	$3.32
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	22,958	34,873	21,731	54,597	22,389	31,830	44,268	19,413	134,159	117,900	77,207
Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,850	14,850	14,850
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$149,009	$132,750	$92,057
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	23,239	23,355	23,228
Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed) Convertible perpetual preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,822	4,797	4,772
Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed) Employee share-based awards	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	331	326	339
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	28,392	28,478	28,339
Diluted earnings per share	$0.94	$1.36	$0.90	$2.05	$0.92	$1.25	$1.68	$0.81	$5.25	$4.66	$3.25

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Details) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Potentially dilutive securities	169	169	348
Weighted-average exercise price	$62.66	$62.66	$56.75

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	2.8
Liability where a significant change in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible	0.5
U.S. Federal [Member]	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'
Open Tax Year	'2011
Minimum [Member] \| State And Foreign Jurisdictions [Member]	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'
Open tax years	'3 years
Maximum [Member] \| State And Foreign Jurisdictions [Member]	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'
Open tax years	'6 years

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Compo

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Components of Income Tax Expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
United States, current	$1,433	($3,465)	$2,871
State and local, current	507	682	-2,064
Foreign, current	75,770	57,355	53,582
Total, current	77,710	54,572	54,389
United States, deferred	1,686	1,746	4,796
State and local, deferred	275	279	444
Foreign, deferred	-4,136	9,769	1,530
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	-2,175	11,794	6,770
Total	$75,535	$66,366	$61,159

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Effec

Income Taxes (Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	0.20%	0.30%	-0.70%
Nondeductible European Commission fine	0.00%	0.00%	8.60%
Dividends received from deconsolidated operations	-0.90%	-1.50%	-1.80%
Other, including changes in liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions	-1.60%	-1.80%	-3.30%
Effective income tax rate	32.70%	32.00%	37.80%

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_US_An

Income Taxes (Schedule Of U.S. And Foreign Components Of Income Before Income Taxes And Other Items) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
United States	$9,156	($4,161)	$21,773
Foreign	221,534	211,446	140,205
Total	$230,690	$207,285	$161,978

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Defer

Income Taxes (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign withholding taxes	$30,147	$25,074
Undistributed earnings	23,865	32,346
Goodwill	30,851	30,851
All other	12,471	14,099
Total deferred tax liabilities	97,334	102,370
Employee benefit plans	40,816	60,397
Reserves and accruals	32,248	32,795
Deferred income	4,013	4,732
Deferred compensation	1,035	3,616
All other	7,784	12,292
Total deferred tax assets	85,896	113,832
Valuation allowance	-1,252	-1,252
Net deferred tax assets	$84,644	$112,580

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Combi

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Combined Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Allocable To Continuing Operations, Other Comprehensive Income, And Adjustments To Shareholders' Equity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$75,535	$66,366	$61,159
Other comprehensive income	22,190	2,600	-18,296
Direct adjustments to shareholders' equity	-972	-1,052	-285
Total	$96,753	$67,914	$42,578

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of the Gross Liability For Uncertain Tax Positions) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Liability for uncertain tax positions, beginning of year	$5,385	$7,913	$9,223
Additions: Related to tax positions for the current year	194	191	262
Additions: Related to tax positions for prior years	168	0	1,072
Reductions: Due to settlements with tax jurisdictions	0	-66	-698
Reductions: Due to lapses of statutes of limitations	-1,776	-2,339	-1,213
Reductions: Effect of currency rate movement	-162	-314	-733
Liability for uncertain tax positions, end of year	$3,809	$5,385	$7,913

Credit_Facilities_Narrative_De

Credit Facilities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Credit Facilities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate on credit	1.50%	'
Outstanding uncommitted lines of credit	$62,905,000	$105,318,000
Weighted average interest rates on short-term borrowings outstanding	3.50%	3.80%
Uncommitted lines of credit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding uncommitted lines of credit	63,000,000	105,000,000
Unused lines of Credit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding uncommitted lines of credit	342,000,000	'
Bank Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Years Of Bank Credit Agreement	'5 years	'
Maturity date of credit facility	1-Nov-16	'
Bank Credit Agreement [Member] \| Federal Funds Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate on credit	0.50%	'
Bank Credit Agreement [Member] \| Prime Rate Or One Month Libor [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate on credit	1.00%	'
Bank Credit Agreement [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount under revolving credit facility	450,000,000	'
Bank Credit Agreement [Member] \| Amortizing Bank Term Loan Maturing November 2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fully funded amortizing term loan	100,000,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount Outstanding under revolving credit facility	$0	'

LongTerm_Obligations_Narrative

Long-Term Obligations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Oct. 28, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2011

Oct. 15, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Oct. 28, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Medium-term Notes [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior term note due 2018 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Bank Credit Agreement [Member]

Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member]

Long-term Debt [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Repayments of Debt

$200,000,000

Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt

175,000,000

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

1-Dec-14

1-Oct-18

1-Nov-16

Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount

75,000,000

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.50%

Loans Payable to Bank

100,000,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End

1.69%

2.91%

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

100,000,000

Medium-term notes interest rate, percentage

5.20%

6.25%

Derivative, Notional Amount

81,300,000

92,500,000

Long-term debt

240,000,000

181,250,000

Derivative liability value

900,000

Long-term debt maturities, 2015

116,300,000

Long-term debt maturities, 2016

27,500,000

Long-term debt maturities, 2017

37,500,000

Long-term debt maturities, 2018

Long-term debt maturities, 2019

$175,000,000

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_

Long-Term Obligations (Schedule Of Long-Term Obligations) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total outstanding	$356,250	$392,500
Less current portion	-116,250	-211,250
Long-term obligations	240,000	181,250
Medium-Term Notes Due From 2012 To 2014 At Various Rates [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	100,000	300,000
Senior term note due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	175,000	0
Amortizing Bank Term Loan Maturing November 2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	$81,250	$92,500

Leases_Details

Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Rent expense on operating leases	$18.20	$19.30	$20.60
Operating leases minimum payment in 2015	12.1	'	'
Operating leases minimum payment in 2016	8.1	'	'
Operating leases minimum payment in 2017	6.3	'	'
Operating leases minimum payment in 2018	4.1	'	'
Operating leases minimum payment in 2019	3.2	'	'
Operating leases minimum payment after 2019	$4.50	'	'

Derivatives_And_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives And Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014
		Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Settled On Maturity [Member]	Settled Prior To Maturity [Member]	Fair Value Hedging [Member]	Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
				Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	'	'	$189.50	$50	$195	$245	$81.30
Aggregate gain on the termination of interest rate swap agreements	'	13	'	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized loss on foreign currency derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	$1.40	'	'	'	'	'	'

Derivatives_And_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives And Hedging Activities Notional Amount of Forward Contracts (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member] \| Forward contracts related to tobacco purchase [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	$126.10	$158.90	$182.50
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Member] \| Forward contracts related to tobacco processing costs [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	26.8	34.3	48.3
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	$152.90	$193.20	$230.80

Derivatives_And_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives And Hedging Activities (Effect Of Derivative Financial Instruments On The Consolidated Statements Of Income) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings - Derivative	$0	$0	$3,195
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings - Hedged item	0	0	-3,195
Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss	-142	-1,470	-1,119
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	-886	-910	0
Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Selling, General And Administrative Expenses [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings from ineffective portion and early de-designation of cash flow hedges	0	0	0
Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Cost Of Goods Sold [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,635	-8,709	2,652
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	-3,844	-8,741	5,882
Derivatives Designated As Hedges [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Selling, General And Administrative Expenses [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings from ineffective portion and early de-designation of cash flow hedges	-1,839	-1,325	857
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Member] \| Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Selling, General And Administrative Expenses [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	($6,609)	($3,115)	$1,829

Derivatives_And_Hedging_Activi5

Derivatives And Hedging Activities (Effect Of Derivative Financial Instruments On The Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position Designated as Hedging Instruments	$1,731	$0
Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position Designated as Hedging Instruments	949	2,489
Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	343	0
Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	3,960	331
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Other Current Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position Designated as Hedging Instruments	1,731	0
Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	343	0
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position Designated as Hedging Instruments	13	810
Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	3,960	331
Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member] \| Other Non-Current Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position Designated as Hedging Instruments	0	0
Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member] \| Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position Designated as Hedging Instruments	$936	$1,679

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Long-Term Obligations, Fair Value	$360	$404

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements (Financial Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Assets:	'	'
Money market funds	$1,527	$174,551
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans	19,754	19,168
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	2,074	'
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value	23,355	193,719
Liabilities:	'	'
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers	2,270	4,235
Interest rate swap agreements	936	1,679
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	3,973	1,141
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value	7,179	7,055
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Money market funds	0	0
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans	19,754	19,168
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	0	'
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value	19,754	19,168
Liabilities:	'	'
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers	0	0
Interest rate swap agreements	0	0
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	0	0
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Money market funds	1,527	174,551
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans	0	0
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	2,074	'
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value	3,601	174,551
Liabilities:	'	'
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers	0	0
Interest rate swap agreements	936	1,679
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	3,973	1,141
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value	4,909	2,820
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Money market funds	0	0
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans	0	0
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	0	'
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers	2,270	4,235
Interest rate swap agreements	0	0
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	0	0
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value	$2,270	$4,235

Fair_Value_Measurements_Reconc

Fair Value Measurements (Reconciliation Of Change In Balance Of Financial Liability For Guarantees Of Bank Loans To Tobacco Growers) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	$4,235	$5,932
Payments under the guarantees and transfers to allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (removal of prior crop year loans from portfolio)	-7,463	-7,352
Provision for loss or transfer from allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (addition of current crop year loans)	5,566	5,690
Change in discount rate and estimated collection period	130	135
Currency remeasurement	-198	-170
Balance at end of period	$2,270	$4,235

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme2

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revised healthcare cost trend assumption	7.40%	'	'
Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate	4.50%	'	'
Year that rate reaches healthcare cost trend rate	'2028	'	'
Lump sum distribution payments to terminated employees	$7,000,000	'	'
Prior service credit	22,000,000	'	'
Effect of one-percentage-point decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	1,400,000	'	'
Effect of one-percentage-point increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	1,500,000	'	'
Net actuarial loss expected in net periodic benefit cost during fiscal year 2014	5,800,000	'	'
Prior service benefit expected in net periodic benefit cost during fiscal year 2014	3,100,000	'	'
Percentage of total plan assets	91.00%	'	'
Percentage of total projected benefit obligation	80.00%	'	'
Expected company contributions in 2014	7,100,000	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense	1,600,000	1,500,000	1,100,000
ERISA-regulated U.S. plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected company contributions in 2014	5,500,000	'	'
Non-ERISA regulated and Other Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected company contributions in 2014	$1,600,000	'	'

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme3

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Assumptions Used To Compute Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Benefit Obligations) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Healthcare cost trend rate	7.40%	'	'
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rates: Benefit cost for plan year	4.20%	4.60%	5.50%
Discount rates: Benefit obligation at end of plan year	4.50%	4.20%	4.60%
Expected long-term return on plan assets: Benefit cost for plan year	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
Expected long-term return on plan assets: Benefit obligation at end of plan year	7.75%	8.00%	8.00%
Salary scale: Benefit cost for plan year	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Salary scale: Benefit obligation at end of plan year	4.50%	5.00%	5.00%
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rates: Benefit cost for plan year	3.90%	4.40%	5.50%
Discount rates: Benefit obligation at end of plan year	4.30%	3.90%	4.40%
Expected long-term return on plan assets: Benefit cost for plan year	4.30%	4.30%	4.30%
Expected long-term return on plan assets: Benefit obligation at end of plan year	4.30%	4.30%	4.30%
Salary scale: Benefit cost for plan year	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Salary scale: Benefit obligation at end of plan year	4.50%	5.00%	5.00%
Healthcare cost trend rate	7.40%	7.60%	7.80%

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme4

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, And Funded Status) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year	$205,942	'	'
Settlements, plan assets	7,000	'	'
Plan assets at fair value, end of year	213,282	'	'
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	258,240	280,626	'
Projected benefit obligation	259,928	299,161	302,632
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	299,161	302,632	'
Service cost	5,190	4,650	4,614
Interest cost	12,223	13,001	13,959
Effect of discount rate change	-8,316	13,798	'
Plan amendment	-22,145	0	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	22	-1,528	'
Settlements, benefit obligation	-2,136	-13,027	'
Other	-2,586	-6,420	'
Benefit payments	-21,485	-13,945	'
Projected benefit obligation, end of year	259,928	299,161	302,632
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year	205,942	199,525	'
Actual return on plan assets	15,758	22,865	'
Employer contributions	17,866	11,552	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-2,663	-1,028	'
Settlements, plan assets	-2,136	-13,027	'
Plan assets at fair value, end of year	213,282	205,942	199,525
Funded status of the plans, end of year	-46,646	-93,219	'
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	0	0	'
Projected benefit obligation	41,846	48,970	48,784
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	48,970	48,784	'
Service cost	527	467	591
Interest cost	2,106	2,303	2,636
Effect of discount rate change	-2,483	3,068	'
Plan amendment	0	0	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0	0	'
Settlements, benefit obligation	0	0	'
Other	-4,282	-2,733	'
Benefit payments	-2,992	-2,919	'
Projected benefit obligation, end of year	41,846	48,970	48,784
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year	2,932	3,062	'
Actual return on plan assets	97	151	'
Employer contributions	2,498	2,638	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0	0	'
Settlements, plan assets	0	0	'
Plan assets at fair value, end of year	2,535	2,932	3,062
Funded status of the plans, end of year	($39,311)	($46,038)	'

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme5

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Funded Status In Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Non-current liability (reported as pensions and other postretirement benefits)	($85,081)	($135,629)
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Non-current asset (reported in other noncurrent assets)	2,476	1,280
Current liability (included in accounts payable and accrued expenses)	-764	-1,581
Non-current liability (reported as pensions and other postretirement benefits)	-48,358	-92,918
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets	-46,646	-93,219
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Non-current asset (reported in other noncurrent assets)	0	0
Current liability (included in accounts payable and accrued expenses)	-2,587	-3,327
Non-current liability (reported as pensions and other postretirement benefits)	-36,724	-42,711
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets	($39,311)	($46,038)

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme6

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Additional Information On Funded Status) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
For Plans With A Projected Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets:	'	'
Aggregate projected benefit obligation	$254,117	$290,142
Aggregate fair value of plan assets	204,995	195,642
For Plans With An Accumulated Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets:	'	'
Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation	243,496	272,148
Aggregate fair value of plan assets	195,627	195,642
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
For Plans With A Projected Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets:	'	'
Aggregate projected benefit obligation	41,846	48,970
Aggregate fair value of plan assets	$2,535	$2,932

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme7

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Components Of Company's Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	$5,190	$4,650	$4,614
Interest cost	12,223	13,001	13,959
Expected return on plan assets	-14,218	-14,632	-14,958
Settlement cost	1,094	3,304	0
Net amortization and deferral	6,779	10,299	6,309
Net periodic benefit cost	11,068	16,622	9,924
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	527	467	591
Interest cost	2,106	2,303	2,636
Expected return on plan assets	-119	-124	-134
Settlement cost	0	0	0
Net amortization and deferral	-5	-8	-335
Net periodic benefit cost	$2,509	$2,638	$2,758

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme8

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Recognized In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) On Pretax Basis) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Prior service cost (benefit) arising during the year	($22,000)	'
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of year	93,357	108,171
Losses (gains) arising during the year	-12,834	-928
Reclassification adjustments during the year	-10,035	-13,886
Net actuarial loss (gain), end of year	70,488	93,357
Prior service cost (benefit), beginning of year	-2,617	-3,080
Prior service cost (benefit) arising during the year	-22,145	0
Reclassification adjustments during the year	1,764	463
Prior service cost (benefit), end of year	-22,998	-2,617
Total amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of year, before income taxes	47,490	90,740
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of year	-3,918	-4,644
Losses (gains) arising during the year	-6,039	717
Reclassification adjustments during the year	5	9
Net actuarial loss (gain), end of year	-9,952	-3,918
Prior service cost (benefit), beginning of year	226	500
Prior service cost (benefit) arising during the year	0	0
Reclassification adjustments during the year	-226	-274
Prior service cost (benefit), end of year	0	226
Total amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of year, before income taxes	($9,952)	($3,692)

Pension_And_Other_Postretireme9

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Weighted-Average Target Pension Asset Allocation And Target Ranges By Major Asset Category) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target Allocation	100.00%	'
Actual Allocation	100.00%	100.00%
Domestic Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target Allocation	46.00%	'
Target Allocation Range, Minimum	36.00%	'
Target Allocation Range, Maximum	56.00%	'
Actual Allocation	48.30%	57.00%
Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target Allocation	44.00%	'
Target Allocation Range, Minimum	34.00%	'
Target Allocation Range, Maximum	54.00%	'
Actual Allocation	41.30%	32.60%
Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target Allocation	10.00%	'
Target Allocation Range, Minimum	5.00%	'
Target Allocation Range, Maximum	15.00%	'
Actual Allocation	10.40%	10.40%

Recovered_Sheet1

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Estimated Future Benefit Payments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits [Member]	'
2015	$16,906
2016	16,855
2017	18,967
2018	15,243
2019	19,842
2020 - 2024	87,632
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'
2015	2,976
2016	3,007
2017	3,035
2018	3,008
2019	3,058
2020 - 2024	$14,908

Recovered_Sheet2

Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Fair Values Of Assets Under Fair Value Hierarchy) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	$213,282	$205,942
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	93,229	107,164
Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	100,120	79,288
Alternative Investments [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	19,933	19,490
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	173,796	168,717
Level 1 [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	93,229	107,164
Level 1 [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	80,567	61,553
Level 1 [Member] \| Alternative Investments [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	0	0
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	8,287	10,300
Level 2 [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	8,287	10,300
Level 2 [Member] \| Alternative Investments [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	0	0
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	31,199	26,925
Level 3 [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	0	0
Level 3 [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	11,266	7,435
Level 3 [Member] \| Alternative Investments [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments	$19,933	$19,490

Common_And_Preferred_Stock_Nar

Common And Preferred Stock (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2006

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]

Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

Common stock, shares authorized

100,000,000

Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount

$100,000,000

Cost of common stock repurchased under share repurchase program

14,145,000

8,631,000

3,488,000

Common stock, shares outstanding

23,216,312

23,343,973

Weighted-average cost per share

$59.31

$50.94

$43.49

Number of shares repurchased

238,486

169,432

80,191

Preferred stock, shares authorized

5,000,000

500,000

220,000

Preferred stock, shares issued

219,999

220,000

Preferred stock, shares outstanding

219,999

Preferred stock liquidation price

$1,000

Dividend common stock

0.43

Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock, quarterly dividend rate

6.75%

Preferred stock exceeding percentage on closing price

135.00%

Preferred stock, conversion period

'March 15, 2018

Preferred stock, conversion rate

21.9648

Preferred shares, conversion price

$45.53

Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount

$100,000,000

Common_And_Preferred_Stock_Sch

Common And Preferred Stock (Schedule Of Repurchases Of Shares) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of shares repurchased	238,486	169,432	80,191
Cost of shares repurchased (in thousands of dollars)	$14,145	$8,631	$3,488
Weighted-average cost per share	$59.31	$50.94	$43.49

Executive_Stock_Plans_And_Stoc2

Executive Stock Plans And Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Maximum [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Performance Share Awards Psas [Member

Outside Directors [Member]

Plans After Fiscal 2007 [Member]

2002 Executive Stock Plan [Member]

2007 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Number of shares common stock expected to issue under the Plans

2,000,000

500,000

1,350,000

Expiration period following grant date, in years

'10 years

Description of award vesting rights for SARs

'vest in equal one-third tranches one, two, and three years after the grant date

Expiration period following grantee retirement, in years

'3 years

Vesting period, in years

'5 years

'3 years

Percentage of award grant paid

0.00%

150.00%

Closing market price

$55.89

$56.04

$46.60

Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock-based awards

$6.10

Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock-based awards, weighted-average period expected to recognized

'1 year 3 months 18 days

Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options

$3.90

Executive_Stock_Plans_And_Stoc3

Executive Stock Plans And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Option And SAR Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Outstanding at beginning of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$50.07	$46.01	$45.94
Outstanding at beginning of year, Shares	418,477	855,850	922,598
Granted, Shares	'	'	170,400
Exercised, Shares	-161,137	-407,758	-195,948
Cancelled/expired, Shares	'	-29,615	-41,200
Outstanding at end of year, Shares	257,340	418,477	855,850
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	$37.86
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$42.48	$41.21	$35.82
Cancelled/expired, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	'	$54.83	$59.25
Outstanding at end of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$54.83	$50.07	$46.01
Outstanding at end of year, Weighted-Average Contractual Term	'3 years 5 months 22 days	'	'
Outstanding at end of year, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$1,418	'	'
Exercisable at end of year, Shares	207,068	'	'
Exercisable at end of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$58.95	'	'
Exercisable at end of year, Weighted-Average Contractual Term	'2 years 6 months 28 days	'	'
Exercisable at end of year, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	512	'	'
Expected to vest in future periods, Shares	50,272	'	'
Expected to vest in future periods, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$37.86	'	'
Expected to vest in future periods, Weighted-Average Contractual Term	'7 years 2 months 13 days	'	'
Expected to vest in future periods, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$906	'	'

Executive_Stock_Plans_And_Stoc4

Executive Stock Plans And Stock-Based Compensation (Intrinsic Value And Fair Value of SARs) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised	$2,816	$4,249	$1,745
Total fair value of SARs vested	$769	$1,460	$1,713

Executive_Stock_Plans_And_Stoc5

Executive Stock Plans And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of RSU, Restricted Stock, And PSA Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Granted, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$7.46	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Granted, Shares	70,092	87,780	84,290	'
Vested, Shares	-69,046	-86,925	-39,827	'
Forfeited, Shares	0	0	0	'
Unvested at end of year, Shares	293,180	292,134	291,279	246,816
Granted, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$57.79	$44.06	$38.28	'
Vested, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$44.89	$52.42	$35.94	'
Forfeited, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0	$0	$0	'
Unvested at end of year, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$44.33	$41.23	$43.72	$44.07
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Granted, Shares	0	0	0	'
Vested, Shares	-11,750	-7,550	-10,350	'
Forfeited, Shares	0	0	0	'
Unvested at end of year, Shares	48,100	59,850	67,400	77,750
Granted, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0	$0	$0	'
Vested, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$39.02	$43.74	$37.52	'
Forfeited, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0	$0	$0	'
Unvested at end of year, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$42.33	$41.68	$41.91	$40.77
Performance Share Awards Psas [Member	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Granted, Shares	52,400	92,425	57,383	'
Vested, Shares	-32,464	-94,725	-44,352	'
Forfeited, Shares	-5,566	-5,149	-1,984	'
Unvested at end of year, Shares	149,387	135,017	142,466	131,419
Granted, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$53.56	$35.25	$35.56	'
Vested, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$33.95	$29.67	$45.96	'
Forfeited, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$37.45	$36.15	$33.30	'
Unvested at end of year, Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value	$41.76	$35.12	$31.45	$34.59

Executive_Stock_Plans_And_Stoc6

Executive Stock Plans And Stock-Based Compensation (Assumptions Used To Estimate Grant Date Fair Value Of SARs) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Expected term, years	'5 years
Expected volatility	35.80%
Expected dividend yield	5.07%
Risk-free interest rate	1.66%
Resulting fair value of SARs granted	$7.46

Executive_Stock_Plans_And_Stoc7

Executive Stock Plans And Stock-Based Compensation (Stock-Based Compensation Expense And Related Income Tax Benefit Recognized) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	$6,278	$6,171	$5,987
Income tax benefit recorded on stock-based compensation expense	$2,197	$2,160	$2,095

Commitments_And_Other_Matters_1

Commitments And Other Matters (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Commitments And Other Matters (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Commitments And Other Matters [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total amount of advances funded towards tobacco purchase	'	'	$135,000,000	'	'	'
Commitments relating to agricultural materials,capital expenditures	'	'	74,000,000	'	'	'
Company total exposure under guarantees	'	'	20,000,000	'	'	'
Face amount of guarantee including unpaid accrued interest	'	'	22,000,000	20,000,000	'	'
Fair value of the guarantees	'	'	2,000,000	4,000,000	'	'
Other contingent liabilities	'	'	3,000,000	'	'	'
Due period of accounts receivables	'	'	30	'	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	'	'	7,000,000	8,000,000	'	'
Total Amount of Brazilian IPI Federal Tax Credits Made Available by Court Decision	104,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Federal Taxes Offset Period	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'
Net Book Value Excise Case Tax Credits	90,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on settlement of excise tax case	81,600,000	'	81,619,000	0	0	'
Gain on favorable outcome of excise tax case in Brazil, after tax	53,100,000	'	'	'	'	'
Diluted earnings per share calculation based on gain from excise tax case in Brazil	1.87	'	'	'	'	'
Cash received in property exchange	'	'	'	'	9,400,000	'
Number of warehouses acquired in property exchange	'	'	'	'	2	'
Fair value of land and buildings acquired in property exchange	'	'	'	'	11,200,000	'
Gain on sale/exchange of property	'	'	0	0	11,111,000	'
Proceeds from insurance settlement, investing activities	'	9,900,000	0	0	9,933,000	'
Gain on property and equipment fire loss insurance settlement	'	9,600,000	0	0	9,592,000	'
Gain on fire loss insurance settlement	'	6,900,000	'	'	'	'
Gain on business interruption insurance settlement	'	2,100,000	'	'	'	4,800,000
Reversal of statutory severance liability	'	4,000,000	'	'	'	'
Philip Morris International, Inc [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Commitments And Other Matters [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from customers	'	'	590,000,000	550,000,000	610,000,000	'
Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Commitments And Other Matters [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from customers	'	'	340,000,000	330,000,000	360,000,000	'
Fiscal Year 2015 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Commitments And Other Matters [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tobacco purchase contracts	'	'	661,000,000	'	'	'
After Fiscal Year 2015 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Commitments And Other Matters [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tobacco purchase contracts	'	'	$154,000,000	'	'	'

Commitments_And_Other_Matters_2

Commitments And Other Matters (Schedule Of Accounts Receivable By Reportable Operating Segment) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Consolidated accounts receivable	$468,015	$401,747
North America [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Consolidated accounts receivable	64,195	56,256
Other Regions [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Consolidated accounts receivable	362,146	297,615
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Consolidated accounts receivable	426,341	353,871
Other Tobacco Operations [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Consolidated accounts receivable	$41,674	$47,876

Operating_Segments_Narrative_D

Operating Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'
Ownership percentage in affiliate	49.00%	'	'
Number of regional operating segments	5	'	'
Number of regions into a single reporting segment	4	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$93.30	$91.80	$89.70

Operating_Segments_Operating_R

Operating Segments (Operating Results For The Company's Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	$2,542,115		$2,461,699		$2,446,877
Operating Income	246,151		223,009		180,304
Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	-3,897	[1]	-5,635	[1]	-3,195	[1]
Restructuring and impairment costs	-6,746	[2]	-4,113	[2]	-11,661	[2]
Charge for European Commission fine in Italy	0	[2]	0	[2]	-49,091	[2]
Other income	81,619	[3]	0	[3]	20,703	[3]
Segment Assets	2,270,907		2,306,155		2,266,919
Goodwill	99,080		98,380		98,277
Depreciation and Amortization	38,900		45,116		43,866
Capital Expenditures	45,849		30,783		38,174
Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	2,542,115		2,461,699		2,446,877
Operating Income	175,175		232,757		223,548
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	2,280,855		2,206,556		2,207,636
Operating Income	156,664		212,296		210,707
Segment Assets	1,954,682		1,978,366		1,969,516
Goodwill	97,367		96,667		96,564
Depreciation and Amortization	35,062		41,135		39,676
Capital Expenditures	40,260		27,345		32,497
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member] \| North America [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	348,627		334,676		314,248
Operating Income	23,217		19,740		30,037
Segment Assets	277,028		295,785		256,546
Goodwill	0		0		0
Depreciation and Amortization	6,018		11,017		10,201
Capital Expenditures	2,676		2,459		438
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member] \| Other Regions [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	1,932,228	[4]	1,871,880	[4]	1,893,388	[4]
Operating Income	133,447	[4]	192,556	[4]	180,670	[4]
Segment Assets	1,677,654	[4]	1,682,581	[4]	1,712,970	[4]
Goodwill	97,367	[4]	96,667	[4]	96,564	[4]
Depreciation and Amortization	29,044	[4]	30,118	[4]	29,475	[4]
Capital Expenditures	37,584	[4]	24,886	[4]	32,059	[4]
Other Tobacco Operations [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	261,260	[5]	255,143	[5]	239,241	[5]
Operating Income	18,511	[5]	20,461	[5]	12,841	[5]
Segment Assets	316,225	[5]	327,789	[5]	297,403	[5]
Goodwill	1,713	[5]	1,713	[5]	1,713	[5]
Depreciation and Amortization	3,838	[5]	3,981	[5]	4,190	[5]
Capital Expenditures	$5,589	[5]	$3,438	[5]	$5,677	[5]

[1]	Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income.
[2]	Restructuring costs and the fiscal year 2012 charge for European Commission fines are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.
[3]	Other income in fiscal year 2014 represents the gain on the favorable outcome of the IPI tax credit case in Brazil (See Note 14). Other income in fiscal year 2012 represents a gain on proceeds received from an insurance settlement for the replacement of factory and equipment lost in a fire at a plant in Europe, as well as a gain on the sale of land and buildings in Brazil. These gains are excluded from segment operating income, but included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income.
[4]	Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations.
[5]	Includes Dark Air-Cured, Oriental, and Special Services, as well as inter-company eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues, goodwill, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures include limited amounts or no amounts for Oriental because the business is accounted for on the equity method and its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of the unconsolidated affiliate. The investment in the unconsolidated affiliate is included in segment assets and was approximately $93.3B million, $91.8B million, and $89.7B million, at MarchB 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Operating_Segments_Schedule_Of

Operating Segments (Schedule Of Sales And Long-Lived Assets By Country) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Sales and other operating revenues	$2,542,115	$2,461,699	$2,446,877
Long-Lived Assets	395,999	386,516	402,458
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Sales and other operating revenues	304,527	324,285	315,610
Long-Lived Assets	61,347	64,235	75,330
Belgium [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Sales and other operating revenues	218,550	203,539	210,425
China [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Sales and other operating revenues	210,956	229,112	210,436
Netherlands [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Sales and other operating revenues	208,031	174,481	164,504
Germany [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Sales and other operating revenues	173,872	128,144	210,791
Brazil [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-Lived Assets	135,359	137,133	139,484
Mozambique [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-Lived Assets	49,543	48,016	50,475
All Other Countries [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Sales and other operating revenues	1,426,179	1,402,138	1,335,111
Long-Lived Assets	$149,750	$137,132	$137,169

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	$6,480		($3,370)		($8,158)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes	32,022		8,803		-23,195
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period	-34,332		-75,540		-80,361
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member]	'		'		'
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	1,624		87		-3,424
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'		'		'
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	483		-364		-727
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'		'		'
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year	-15,555		-11,850		-3,611
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	6,480		-3,370		-8,158
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	7,079		-3,705		-8,239
Balance at end of period	-8,476		-15,555		-11,850
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'
Taxes on net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation	-3,489		1,815		3,230
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] \| Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'		'		'
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	599		-335		-81
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member]	'		'		'
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year	-855		-942		2,482
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes	580		-6,006		-1,129
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	1,044	[1]	6,093	[1]	-2,295	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	1,624		87		-3,424
Balance at end of period	769		-855		-942
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments	-312		3,234		608
Taxes on reclassifications to net income	-563		-3,281		1,236
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'		'		'
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	'		'		-727
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year	-1,091		-727		0
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes	-93		-955		-727
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	576	[2]	591	[2]	0	[2]
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	483		-364		'
Balance at end of period	-608		-1,091		-727
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments	49		515		392
Taxes on reclassifications to net income	-310		-319		0
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'		'		'
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year	-58,039		-66,842		-43,647
Gains arising during period, net of income taxes	11,977	[3]	-187	[3]	-26,517	[3]
Prior service credit arising during the period, net of income taxes	14,394	[3]	0	[3]	-500	[3]
Amortization included in earnings, net of income taxes	5,651	[4]	8,990	[4]	3,822	[4]
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes	32,022		8,803		-23,195
Balance at end of period	-26,017		-58,039		-66,842
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'
Taxes on losses (gains) arising during the period	-6,449		96		14,596
Taxes on prior service credit arising during the period	-7,751		0		250
Taxes on amortization included in net income	($3,042)		($4,841)		($2,059)

[1]	Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the related tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 9 for additional information.
[2]	) Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the debt. See Note 9 for additional information.
[3]	These items arise from the remeasurement of the assets and liabilities of the Company's defined benefit pension plans. Those remeasurements are made on an annual basis at the end of the fiscal year. In addition, the assets and liabilities of the Company's U.S.-based pension plans were also remeasured on an interim basis during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 to reflect the effect of plan amendments adopted during the period. See Note 11 for additional information.
[4]	This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9 for additional information.

Unaudited_Quarterly_Financial_2

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on settlement of excise tax case	'	'	'	$81,600,000	'	'	'	'	$81,619,000	$0	$0
Gain on favorable outcome of excise tax case in Brazil, after tax	'	'	'	53,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,746,000	4,113,000	11,661,000
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	26,671,000	38,585,000	25,444,000	58,309,000	26,102,000	35,542,000	47,981,000	23,125,000	149,009,000	132,750,000	92,057,000
Diluted earnings per share	$0.94	$1.36	$0.90	$2.05	$0.92	$1.25	$1.68	$0.81	$5.25	$4.66	$3.25
Restructuring Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	2,000,000	3,400,000	1,300,000	'	'	'	3,700,000	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	1,300,000	2,200,000	900,000	'	'	'	1,500,000	'	'	'	'
Diluted earnings per share	$0.04	$0.08	$0.03	'	'	'	$0.05	'	'	'	'
Brazil [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on settlement of excise tax case	'	'	'	81,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on favorable outcome of excise tax case in Brazil, after tax	'	'	'	$53,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	$1.96	'	'	'	'	'	$1.87	'

Unaudited_Quarterly_Financial_3

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales and other operating revenues	$689,916	$767,802	$650,869	$433,528	$645,092	$680,029	$675,187	$461,391	'	'	'
Gross profit	103,204	139,307	119,312	71,468	106,897	125,441	138,049	92,030	'	'	'
Net income	27,209	44,203	29,830	53,913	26,685	39,715	49,286	25,233	155,155	140,919	100,819
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	26,671	38,585	25,444	58,309	26,102	35,542	47,981	23,125	149,009	132,750	92,057
Earnings (loss) available to Universal Corporation common shareholders after dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	$22,958	$34,873	$21,731	$54,597	$22,389	$31,830	$44,268	$19,413	$134,159	$117,900	$77,207
Basic	$0.99	$1.50	$0.94	$2.34	$0.96	$1.36	$1.89	$0.83	$5.77	$5.05	$3.32
Diluted	$0.94	$1.36	$0.90	$2.05	$0.92	$1.25	$1.68	$0.81	$5.25	$4.66	$3.25
Convertible perpetual preferred stock, cash dividends declared per share	$16.87	$16.88	$16.87	$16.88	$16.87	$16.88	$16.87	$16.88	$67.50	$67.50	$67.50
Common stock, cash dividends declared per share	$0.51	$0.51	$0.50	$0.50	$0.50	$0.50	$0.49	$0.49	$2.02	$1.98	$1.94
Market price range of common stock, high	$58.99	$54.60	$63.36	$61.46	$58.36	$52.25	$51.10	$47.40	$58.99	$58.36	'
Market price range of common stock, low	$49.84	$50.06	$48.43	$54.45	$51.29	$45.62	$44.03	$44.08	$49.84	$51.29	'

Schedule_II_Valuation_And_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Period	$7,968	$8,307	$5,603
Net Additions (Reversals) Charged to Expense	419	1,788	4,244
Additions Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	-1,851	-2,127	-1,540
Balance at End of Period	6,536	7,968	8,307
Allowance for supplier accounts [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Period	54,393	74,382	74,938
Net Additions (Reversals) Charged to Expense	5,461	1,623	11,929
Additions Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	-13,776	-21,612	-12,485
Balance at End of Period	46,078	54,393	74,382
Allowance for recoverable taxes [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Period	26,044	24,719	22,126
Net Additions (Reversals) Charged to Expense	5,607	4,005	2,564
Additions Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	-2,147	-2,680	29
Balance at End of Period	$29,504	$26,044	$24,719