Greif (GEF) 10-Q 3 Mar 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 26, 2014	Feb. 26, 2014
		Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'GREIF INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000043920	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--10-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	25,539,457	22,119,966

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Net sales	$1,034.40	$1,008.60
Cost of products sold	847.8	821.9
Gross profit	186.6	186.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses	121.5	122.6
Restructuring charges	2.6	1.3
Timberland gains	-8.7	0
(Gain) on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	-0.8	-1.2
Operating profit	72	64
Interest expense, net	20.4	21.6
Debt extinguishment charges	'	1.3
Other expense, net	4.6	3.1
Income before income tax expense and equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net	47	38
Income tax expense	16.5	13.2
Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	0.1	0.1
Net income	30.6	24.9
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1.1	-1.3
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$29.50	$23.60
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Basic earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:	'	'
EPS Basic	$0.51	$0.41
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:	'	'
EPS Diluted	$0.51	$0.41
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Basic earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:	'	'
EPS Basic	$0.75	$0.60
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:	'	'
EPS Diluted	$0.75	$0.60

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$30.60	$24.90
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-33.1	15.9
Reclassification of cash flow hedges to earnings, net of tax	0.2	0.1
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax	-0.1	0.1
Minimum pension liabilities, net of tax	-0.3	-0.4
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-33.3	15.7
Comprehensive income (loss)	-2.7	40.6
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0.5	5.6
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greif, Inc.	($3.20)	$35

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$82	$78.10
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $12.9 in 2014 and $13.5 in 2013	465.5	481.9
Inventories	398.1	375.3
Deferred tax assets	21.3	22.2
Net assets held for sale	0.2	1.5
Current portion related party notes and advances receivable	3	2.8
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	144.4	132.2
Total current assets	1,114.50	1,094
Long-term assets	'	'
Goodwill	1,028.90	1,003.50
Other intangible assets, net of amortization	187.5	180.8
Deferred tax assets	29.9	28
Related party notes receivable	12.1	12.6
Assets held by special purpose entities	50.9	50.9
Other long-term assets	118.7	114.1
Total long-term assets	1,428	1,389.90
Properties, plants and equipment	'	'
Timber properties, net of depletion	219.5	215.2
Land	144.5	141.5
Buildings	490.4	496.7
Machinery and equipment	1,511	1,523.70
Capital projects in progress	139.9	128.7
Properties, plants and equipment, gross	2,505.30	2,505.80
Accumulated depreciation	-1,115.50	-1,107.50
Properties, plants and equipment, net	1,389.80	1,398.30
Total assets	3,932.30	3,882.20
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	365.8	431.3
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	75.8	103
Restructuring reserves	4	3
Current portion of long-term debt	12.5	10
Short-term borrowings	94.3	64.1
Deferred tax liabilities	7.9	11.5
Other current liabilities	170.5	178.8
Total current liabilities	730.8	801.7
Long-term liabilities	'	'
Long-term debt	1,345.80	1,207.20
Deferred tax liabilities	251	238.1
Pension liabilities	82.4	82.5
Postretirement benefit obligations	17.6	18.5
Liabilities held by special purpose entities	43.3	43.3
Other long-term liabilities	86.8	92.9
Total long-term liabilities	1,826.90	1,682.50
Shareholders' equity	'	'
Common stock, without par value	132.3	129.4
Treasury stock, at cost	-130.9	-131
Retained earnings	1,448.90	1,443.80
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:	'	'
- foreign currency translation	-95.8	-63.3
- interest rate and other cash flow hedges	-0.5	-0.6
- minimum pension liabilities	-95.4	-95.1
Total Greif, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,258.60	1,283.20
Noncontrolling interests	116	114.8
Total shareholders' equity	1,374.60	1,398
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$3,932.30	$3,882.20

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance of trade accounts receivable	$12.90	$13.50

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$30.60	$24.90
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	39.1	39.5
Asset impairments	0.2	0.1
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss	-2.2	4.7
Deferred income taxes	1.9	0.3
Gain on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net	-9.5	-1.2
Equity earnings of affiliates	-0.1	-0.1
Other, net	-0.4	1
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in certain assets and liabilities:	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	-3.3	13.5
Inventories	-39.3	-10.3
Deferred purchase price on sold receivables	-9.7	-32.6
Accounts payable	-50.7	-78.9
Restructuring reserves	1.1	-1.3
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	-0.6	3.5
Other, net	-19.9	-31.9
Net cash used in operating activities	-62.8	-68.8
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired	-52.3	'
Purchases of properties, plants and equipment	-34.5	-28.5
Purchases of timber properties	-8	'
Proceeds from the sale of properties, plants, equipment and other assets	14.8	1
Payments on notes receivable with related party, net	0.4	0.1
Net cash used in investing activities	-79.6	-27.4
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	395.4	464.9
Payments on long-term debt	-263.3	-350.8
Proceeds from short-term borrowings, net	31.9	5.6
Proceeds from trade accounts receivable credit facility, net	11	3.2
Dividends paid	-24.4	-24.4
Exercise of stock options	0.1	'
Fees paid for amended credit agreement	'	-3.4
Net cash provided by financing activities	150.7	95.1
Effects of exchange rates on cash	-4.4	1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3.9	-0.1
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	78.1	91.5
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$82	$91.40

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated balance sheets as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 of Greif, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Greif, Inc., all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and investments in limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures in which it has controlling influence. Non-majority owned entities include investments in limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures in which the Company does not have controlling influence.
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended October 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”). Note 1 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” from the 2013 Form 10-K is specifically incorporated in this Form 10-Q by reference. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature.
	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) instructions to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.
	The Company’s fiscal year begins on November 1 and ends on October 31 of the following year. Any references to the year 2014 or 2013, or to any quarter of those years, relates to the fiscal year or quarter, as the case may be, ended in that year.
	The Company presents various fair value disclosures in Notes 3 and 10 to these Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Newly Adopted Accounting Standards
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-11 “Balance Sheet: Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” Subsequently, in January 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance in ASU 2013-01 “Balance Sheet: Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” The balance sheet offsetting disclosures were limited in scope to derivatives, repurchase agreements, and securities lending transactions to the extent they are offset in the financial statements or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar arrangement. The Company adopted the new guidance beginning on November 1, 2013, and the adoption of the new guidance did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows, other than the related disclosures.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 “Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The objective of this update is to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in this update seek to attain that objective by requiring an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. This would be the case when a portion of the amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income is reclassified to a balance sheet account instead of directly to income or expense in the same reporting period. The Company adopted the new guidance beginning on November 1, 2013, and the adoption of the new guidance did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows, other than the related disclosures.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	As of January 31, 2014, the FASB has issued ASU’s through 2014-05. The Company has reviewed each recently issued ASU and the adoption of each ASU that is applicable to the Company is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows, other than the related disclosures.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05 “Foreign Currency Matters: Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or an Investment in a Foreign Entity.” The objective of this update is to resolve the diversity in practice about whether Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810-10 or ASC 830-30 applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business (other than a sale of in substance real estate or conveyance of oil and gas rights) within a foreign entity. The Company is expected to adopt the new guidance beginning November 1, 2014, and the impact of the adoption of the new guidance will be evaluated when an acquisition or divestiture occurs with respect to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and disclosures.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11 “Income Taxes: Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The objective of this update is to eliminate the diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments in this update seek to attain that objective by requiring an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for those instances described above, except in certain situations discussed in the update. The Company is expected to adopt the new guidance beginning on November 1, 2014 and the adoption of the new guidance is not expected to impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows, other than the related disclosures.

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Significant Transactions

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2014

Business Combinations [Abstract]

'

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Significant Transactions

'

NOTE 2 — ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTITURES AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS

The following table summarizes the Company’s acquisition activity in 2014 and 2013 (Dollars in millions):

Segment

# of

Purchase Price,

Tangible Assets,

Intangible

Goodwill

Acquisitions

net of Cash

net

Assets

Total 2014 Acquisitions

2

$

52.3

2.5

13.8

34.2

Total 2013 Acquisitions

—

$

—

—

—

—

Note:

Purchase price, net of cash acquired, represents cash paid in the period of each acquisition and does not include assumed debt, subsequent payments for deferred purchase adjustments or earn-out provisions.

The Company completed two acquisitions and no material divestitures for the three months ended January 31, 2014. One acquisition was in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment in November and the other acquisition was in the Paper Packaging segment in November. The rigid industrial packaging acquisition is expected to complement the Company’s existing product lines and provide growth opportunities and economies of scale. The paper packaging acquisition was made in part to obtain technologies, equipment, and customer lists.

The Company completed no acquisitions and no material divestitures for the three months ended January 31, 2013.

The Company has allocated purchase price as of the dates of acquisition based upon its understanding, obtained during due diligence and through other sources, of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. If additional information is obtained about these assets and liabilities within the measurement period (not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition), including through asset appraisals and learning more about the newly acquired business, the Company may refine its estimates of fair value to allocate the purchase price more accurately; however, any such revisions are not expected to be significant.

Pro Forma Information

In accordance with ASU 2010-29, “Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combination,” the Company has considered the effect of the 2014 acquisitions in the consolidated statements of income for each period presented. The revenue and operating profit of the 2014 acquisitions included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income totaled $6.0 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014. All of the 2014 acquisitions were of companies not listed on a stock exchange or not otherwise publicly traded or not required to provide public financial information. Pro forma results of operations for the periods ending January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were not materially different from reported results and, consequently, are not presented.

Sale_of_NonUnited_States_Accou

Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable	'
	NOTE 3 — SALE OF NON-UNITED STATES ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
	On April 27, 2012, Cooperage Receivables Finance B.V. (the “Main SPV”) and Greif Coordination Center BVBA, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc. (“Seller”), entered into the Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Purchase Agreement (the “European RPA”) with affiliates of a major international bank (the “Purchasing Bank Affiliates”). Under the European RPA, the Seller has agreed to sell trade accounts receivables that meet certain eligibility requirements that Seller had purchased from other indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Greif, Inc. under discounted receivables purchase agreements and related agreements. These other indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Greif, Inc. include Greif Belgium BVBA, Pack2pack Rumbeke N.V., Pack2pack Zwolle B.V., Greif Nederland B.V., Pack2pack Halsteren B.V., Greif Italia S.p.A., Fustiplast S.p.A., Greif France S.A.S., Pack2pack Lille S.A.S., Greif Packaging Spain S.A., Greif UK Ltd., Greif Germany GmbH, Fustiplast GmbH, Pack2pack Mendig GmbH, Greif Portugal S.A., Greif Sweden Aktiebolag, Greif Packaging Sweden Aktiebolag and Greif Norway A.S. (the “Selling Subsidiaries”). Under the terms of a Performance and Indemnity Agreement, the performance obligations of the Selling Subsidiaries under the transaction documents have been guaranteed by Greif, Inc. The European RPA may be amended from time to time to add additional subsidiaries of Greif, Inc. The maximum amount of receivables that may be sold and outstanding under the European RPA at any time is €145 million ($198.2 million as of January 31, 2014). A significant portion of the proceeds from this trade receivables facility was used to pay the obligations under a previous trade receivables facility, which was then terminated, and to pay expenses incurred in connection with this transaction. The future proceeds from this facility will be available for working capital and general corporate purposes.
	In October 2007, Greif Singapore Pte. Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc., entered into the Singapore Receivable Purchase Agreement (the “Singapore RPA”) with a major international bank. The maximum amount of aggregate receivables that may be financed under the Singapore RPA is 15.0 million Singapore Dollars ($11.8 million as of January 31, 2014).
	In May 2009, Greif Malaysia Sdn Bhd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc., entered into the Malaysian Receivables Purchase Agreement (the “Malaysian Agreement”) with Malaysian banks. The maximum amount of the aggregate receivables that may be financed under the Malaysian Agreement is 15.0 million Malaysian Ringgits ($4.5 million as of January 31, 2014).
	These transactions are structured to provide for legal true sales, on a revolving basis, of the receivables transferred from the various Greif, Inc. subsidiaries to the respective banks and affiliates. Under the European RPA, the Singapore RPA and the Malaysian Agreement, the banks and affiliates fund an initial purchase price of a certain percentage of eligible receivables based on a formula with the initial purchase price approximating 75 percent to 90 percent of eligible receivables. The remaining deferred purchase price is settled upon collection of the receivables; although under the European RPA, the Seller provides a subordinated loan to the Main SPV, which is used to fund the remaining purchase price owed to the Selling Subsidiaries. The repayment of the subordinated loan to the Seller is paid from the collections of the receivables. As of the balance sheet reporting dates, the Company removes from accounts receivable the amount of cash proceeds received from the initial purchase price since they meet the applicable criteria of ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing”, and continues to recognize the deferred purchase price within other current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of the time the receivables are initially sold; accordingly the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets sold are included as a loss on sale in the consolidated statements of income within other expense, net. The receivables are sold on a non-recourse basis with the total funds in the servicing collection accounts pledged to the banks between settlement dates.
	The tables below contain information related to the Company’s accounts receivables programs (Dollars in millions):
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014		2013
	European RPA
	Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$	243.5	$	242.2
	Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the programs		215.4		214.7
	Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		28.1		27.5
	Loss associated with the programs		0.7		0.7
	Expenses associated with the programs		—		—
	Singapore RPA
	Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$	15	$	17.2
	Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program		15		17.2
	Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		—		—
	Loss associated with the program		—		—
	Expenses associated with the program		0.1		0.1
	Malaysian Agreement
	Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$	0.8	$	5.3
	Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program		0.8		5.3
	Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		—		—
	Loss associated with the program		—		—
	Expenses associated with the program		—		—
	Total RPAs and Agreement
	Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$	259.3	$	264.7
	Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program		231.2		237.2
	Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		28.1		27.5
	Loss associated with the program		0.7		0.7
	Expenses associated with the program		0.1		0.1
		January 31,		October 31,
		2014		2013
	European RPA
	Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	$	160.1	$	179
	Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		21.2		11.5
	Singapore RPA
	Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	$	5.7	$	4.4
	Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		—		—
	Malaysian Agreement
	Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	$	0.3	$	4.5
	Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		—		—
	Total RPAs and Agreement
	Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	$	166.1	$	187.9
	Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	$	21.2	$	11.5
	The deferred purchase price related to the accounts receivable sold is reflected as prepaid and other current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and was initially recorded at an amount which approximates its fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. The cash received initially and the deferred purchase price relate to the sale or ultimate collection of the underlying receivables and are not subject to significant other risks given their short nature; therefore, the Company reflects all cash flows under the accounts receivable sales programs as operating cash flows on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
	Additionally, the Company performs collections and administrative functions on the receivables sold similar to the procedures it uses for collecting all of its receivables, including receivables that are not sold under the European RPA, the Singapore RPA and the Malaysian Agreement. The servicing liability for these receivables is not material to the consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	NOTE 4 — INVENTORIES
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are summarized as follows (Dollars in millions):
		January 31,		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished Goods	$	100.4	$	98.5
	Raw materials		263.8		240.4
	Work-in-process		33.9		36.4
		$	398.1	$	375.3

Net_Assets_Held_for_Sales_and_

Net Assets Held for Sales and Disposals of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Net Assets Held for Sales and Disposals of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	'
	NOTE 5 — NET ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
	As of January 31, 2014, there was one asset group in the Flexible Products & Services segment with assets held for sale. As of October 31, 2013, there were two asset groups in the Flexible Products & Services segment with assets held for sale. During the three months ended January 31, 2014, one of those asset groups classified as held for sale was disposed. The net assets held for sale are being marketed for sale and it is the Company’s intention to complete the sales of these assets within the upcoming year.
	For the three months ended January 31, 2014, the Company recorded a gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment, net of $0.8 million. There were sales of higher and better use (“HBU”) and surplus properties (for a description of Land Management segment property classifications, see Note 18) which resulted in gains of $1.4 million in the Land Management segment, a disposal of property in the Paper Packaging segment that resulted in a gain of $0.8 million, a disposal of an equity method investment in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment that resulted in a loss of $1.7 million and sales of other miscellaneous equipment which resulted in aggregate gains of $0.3 million. None of these were previously classified as held for sale.
	For the three months ended January 31, 2014, the Company recorded a gain of $8.7 million relating to the sale of timberland. For the three months ended January 31, 2013, there were no sales of timberland.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	NOTE 6 — GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the three month period ended January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions):
		Rigid Industrial			Flexible Products &			Paper Packaging		Land Management		Total
		Packaging &			Services
		Services
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	867.3		$	76.3		$	59.9	$	—	$	1,003.50
	Goodwill acquired		34.2			—			—		—		34.2
	Goodwill adjustments		—			—			—		—		—
	Currency translation		(8.2	)		(0.6	)		—		—		(8.8	)
	Balance at January 31, 2014	$	893.3		$	75.7		$	59.9	$	—	$	1,028.90
	Goodwill increased by $25.4 million for the three month period ended January 31, 2014. The increase in goodwill was attributable to $34.2 million related to an acquisition in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment partially offset by $8.8 million related to currency fluctuations.
	The Company reviews goodwill by reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment as required by ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”, either annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. A reporting unit is the operating segment, or a business one level below that operating segment if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management.
	The Company concluded that no impairment or impairment indicators exist as of January 31, 2014.
	The following table summarizes the carrying amount of net intangible assets by class as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 (Dollars in millions):
		Gross Intangible Assets			Accumulated			Net Intangible
					Amortization			Assets
	October 31, 2013:
	Trademark and patents	$	31.1		$	4.3		$	26.8
	Non-compete agreements		14.6			12.6			2
	Customer relationships		205.6			69.4			136.2
	Other		23.5			7.7			15.8
	Total	$	274.8		$	94		$	180.8
	January 31, 2014:
	Trademark and patents	$	31.8		$	4.5		$	27.3
	Non-compete agreements		14.6			12.8			1.8
	Customer relationships		216			72.7			143.3
	Other		23.3			8.2			15.1
	Total	$	285.7		$	98.2		$	187.5
	Gross intangible assets increased by $10.9 million for the three month period ended January 31, 2014. The increase in gross intangible assets was attributable to $13.8 million in preliminary purchase price allocations related to the two acquisitions completed in 2014, offset by a $3.3 million decrease related to currency fluctuations and a $0.4 million increase related to other adjustments. Amortization expense for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 was $5.2 million and $5.0 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the next five years is expected to be $20.9 million in 2014, $20.2 million in 2015, $19.6 million in 2016, $18.8 million in 2017 and $18.3 million in 2018.
	All intangible assets for the periods presented are subject to amortization and are being amortized using the straight-line method over periods that are contractually or legally determined or through purchase price accounting, except for $22.4 million related to the Tri-Sure trademark and trade names related to Blagden Express, Closed-loop, Box Board and Fustiplast, all of which have indefinite lives.

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Charges	'
	NOTE 7 — RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
	The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring reserve balances for the three month period ended January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions):
		Cash Charges						Non-cash
								Charges
		Employee			Other			Asset			Total
		Separation			Costs			Impairments
		Costs
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	1.8		$	1.2		$	—		$	3
	Costs incurred and charged to expense		2.4			—			0.2			2.6
	Costs paid or otherwise settled		(1.3	)		(0.1	)		(0.2	)		(1.6	)
	Balance at January 31, 2014	$	2.9		$	1.1		$	—		$	4
	The focus for restructuring activities in 2014 continues to be on the rationalization of operations and addressing underperforming assets in Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services. During the three months ended January 31, 2014, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $2.6 million, which compares to $1.3 million of restructuring charges during the three months ended January 31, 2013. The restructuring activity for the three months ended January 31, 2014 consisted of $2.4 million in employee separation costs and $0.2 million in asset impairments.
	The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts expected to be incurred from open restructuring plans or plans that are being formulated and have not been announced as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Remaining amounts expected to be incurred were $9.7 million and $6.6 million as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively. The increase was due to the formulation of new plans during the period offset by the realization of expenses from plans formulated in prior periods. (Dollars in millions):
		Amounts Expected to be			Amounts expensed during			Amounts Remaining to
		Incurred			the three month period			be Incurred
					ended January 31, 2014
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services
	Employee separation costs	$	5.8		$	2.3		$	3.5
	Asset impairments		0.2			0.2			—
	Other restructuring costs		4.5			—			4.5
			10.5			2.5			8
	Flexible Products & Services
	Employee separation costs		0.3			0.1			0.2
	Asset impairments		—			—			—
	Other restructuring costs		1.5			—			1.5
			1.8			0.1			1.7
		$	12.3		$	2.6		$	9.7

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entities	'
	NOTE 8 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
	The Company evaluates whether an entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) whenever reconsideration events occur and performs reassessments of all VIE’s quarterly to determine if the primary beneficiary status is appropriate. The Company consolidates VIE’s for which it is the primary beneficiary. If the Company is not the primary beneficiary and an ownership interest is held, the VIE is accounted for under the equity or cost methods of accounting, as appropriate. When assessing the determination of the primary beneficiary, the Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including: the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the expected losses and/or the right to receive the expected returns of the VIE.
	Significant Nonstrategic Timberland Transactions
	On March 28, 2005, Soterra LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary) entered into two real estate purchase and sale agreements with Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. (“Plum Creek”) to sell approximately 56,000 acres of timberland and related assets located primarily in Florida for an aggregate sales price of approximately $90 million, subject to closing adjustments. In connection with the closing of one of these agreements, Soterra LLC sold approximately 35,000 acres of timberland and associated assets in Florida, Georgia and Alabama for $51.0 million, resulting in a pretax gain of $42.1 million, on May 23, 2005. The purchase price was paid in the form of cash and a $50.9 million purchase note payable (the “Purchase Note”) by an indirect subsidiary of Plum Creek (the “Buyer SPE”). Soterra LLC contributed the Purchase Note to STA Timber LLC (“STA Timber”), one of the Company’s indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. The Purchase Note is secured by a Deed of Guarantee issued by Bank of America, N.A., London Branch, in an amount not to exceed $52.3 million (the “Deed of Guarantee”), as a guarantee of the due and punctual payment of principal and interest on the Purchase Note.
	The Company completed the second phase of these transactions in the first quarter of 2006. In this phase, the Company sold 15,300 acres of timberland holdings in Florida for $29.3 million in cash, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $27.4 million. The final phase of this transaction, approximately 5,700 acres sold for $9.7 million in the second quarter of 2006 which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $9.0 million.
	On May 31, 2005, STA Timber issued in a private placement its 5.20% Senior Secured Notes due August 5, 2020 (the “Monetization Notes”) in the principal amount of $43.3 million. In connection with the sale of the Monetization Notes, STA Timber entered into note purchase agreements with the purchasers of the Monetization Notes (the “Note Purchase Agreements”) and related documentation. The Monetization Notes are secured by a pledge of the Purchase Note and the Deed of Guarantee. The Monetization Notes may be accelerated in the event of a default in payment or a breach of the other obligations set forth therein or in the Note Purchase Agreements or related documents, subject in certain cases to any applicable cure periods, or upon the occurrence of certain insolvency or bankruptcy related events. The Monetization Notes are subject to a mechanism that may cause them, subject to certain conditions, to be extended to November 5, 2020. The proceeds from the sale of the Monetization Notes were primarily used for the repayment of indebtedness. Greif, Inc. and its other subsidiaries have not extended any form of guaranty of the principal or interest on the Monetization Notes. Accordingly, Greif, Inc. and its other subsidiaries will not become directly or contingently liable for the payment of the Monetization Notes at any time.
	The Buyer SPE is deemed to be a VIE since assets of the Buyer SPE are not able to satisfy the liabilities of the Buyer SPE. The Buyer SPE is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Company and no ownership interest in the Buyer SPE is held by the Company, but the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result, Buyer SPE has been consolidated into the operations of the Company.
	As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, assets of the Buyer SPE consisted of $50.9 million of restricted bank financial instruments. For both of the three month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, the Buyer SPE recorded interest income of $0.6 million.
	As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, STA Timber had long-term debt of $43.3 million. For both of the three month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, STA Timber recorded interest expense of $0.6 million. STA Timber is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the issuer of the Deed of Guarantee.
	Flexible Packaging Joint Venture
	On September 29, 2010, Greif, Inc. and its indirect subsidiary Greif International Holding Supra C.V. (“Greif Supra”) formed a joint venture (referred to herein as the “Flexible Packaging JV”) with Dabbagh Group Holding Company Limited and its subsidiary National Scientific Company Limited (“NSC”). The Flexible Packaging JV owns the operations in the Flexible Products & Services segment, with the exception of the North American multi-wall bag business. The Flexible Packaging JV has been consolidated into the operations of the Company as of its formation date of September 29, 2010.
	The Flexible Packaging JV is deemed to be a VIE since the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. The Company is the primary beneficiary because it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
	The economic and business purpose underlying the Flexible Packaging JV is to establish a global industrial flexible products enterprise through a series of targeted acquisitions and major investments in plant, machinery and equipment. All entities contributed to the Flexible Packaging JV were existing businesses acquired by Greif Supra and that were reorganized under Greif Flexibles Asset Holding B.V. and Greif Flexibles Trading Holding B.V. (“Asset Co.” and “Trading Co.”), respectively. The Flexible Packaging JV also includes Global Textile Company LLC (“Global Textile”), which owns and operates a fabric hub in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2012. The Company has 51 percent ownership in Trading Co. and 49 percent ownership in Asset Co. and Global Textile. However, Greif Supra and NSC have equal economic interests in the Flexible Packaging JV, notwithstanding the actual ownership interests in the various legal entities.
	All investments, loans and capital contributions are to be shared equally by Greif Supra and NSC and each partner originally committed to contribute capital of up to $150 million and obtain third party financing for up to $150 million as required.
	The following table presents the Flexible Packaging JV total net assets (Dollars in millions):
	October 31, 2013	Asset Co.			Global Textile		Trading Co.		Flexible Packaging JV
	Total assets	$	155.5		$	44.9	$	163.6	$	364
	Total liabilities		209.8			1.2		57.3		268.3
	Net assets	$	(54.3	)	$	43.7	$	106.3	$	95.7
	January 31, 2014	Asset Co.			Global Textile		Trading Co.		Flexible Packaging JV
	Total assets	$	137.9		$	55.8	$	168	$	361.7
	Total liabilities		217.8			2.3		56.8		276.9
	Net assets	$	(79.9	)	$	53.5	$	111.2	$	84.8
	As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, Asset Co. had outstanding advances to NSC for $0.6 million which are being used to fund certain costs incurred in Saudi Arabia in respect of the fabric hub. These advances are recorded within the current portion related party notes and advances receivable on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet since they are expected to be repaid within the next twelve months. As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, Asset Co. and Trading Co. held short term loans payable to NSC for $12.6 million and $12.7 million, respectively, recorded within short-term borrowings on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. These loans are interest bearing and are used to fund certain operational requirements.
	Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest in the Flexible Packaging JV for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 were $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
	Non-United States Accounts Receivable VIE
	As further described in Note 3, Cooperage Receivables Finance B.V. is a party to the European RPA. Cooperage Receivables Finance B.V. is deemed to be a VIE since this entity is not able to satisfy its liabilities without the financial support from the Company. While this entity is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Company and no ownership interest in this entity is held by the Company, the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result, Cooperage Receivables Finance B.V. has been consolidated into the operations of the Company.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	NOTE 9 — LONG-TERM DEBT
	Long-term debt is summarized as follows (Dollars in millions):
		January 31, 2014			October 31, 2013
	Amended Credit Agreement	$	357.6		$	222.9
	Senior Notes due 2017		301.6			301.8
	Senior Notes due 2019		244.5			244.4
	Senior Notes due 2021		270.8			272.9
	Amended Receivables Facility		151			140
	Other long-term debt		32.8			35.2
			1,358.30			1,217.20
	Less current portion		(12.5	)		(10.0	)
	Long-term debt	$	1,345.80		$	1,207.20
	Credit Agreement
	On December 19, 2012, the Company and two of its international subsidiaries amended and restated the Company’s existing $1.0 billion senior secured credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions (the “Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement provides the Company with an $800 million revolving multicurrency credit facility and a $200 million term loan, both expiring in December 2017, with an option to add $250 million to the facilities with the agreement of the lenders. The $200 million term loan is scheduled to amortize by the payment of principal in the amount of $2.5 million each quarter-end for the first eight quarters, beginning January 2013, the payment of $5.0 million each quarter-end for the next twelve quarters and the payment of the remaining balance on the maturity date. The revolving credit facility under the Amended Credit Agreement is available to fund ongoing working capital and capital expenditure needs, for general corporate purposes and to finance acquisitions. Interest is based on a Eurodollar rate or a base rate that resets periodically plus an agreed upon margin amount. The total available borrowing under this facility was $614.0 million as of January 31, 2014, which has been reduced by $15.9 million for outstanding letters of credit.
	The Amended Credit Agreement contains financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a certain leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. The leverage ratio generally requires that at the end of any fiscal quarter the Company will not permit the ratio of (a) the Company’s total consolidated indebtedness, to (b) the Company’s consolidated net income plus depreciation, depletion and amortization, interest expense (including capitalized interest), income taxes, and minus certain extraordinary gains and non-recurring gains (or plus certain extraordinary losses and non-recurring losses) and plus or minus certain other items for the preceding twelve months (“adjusted EBITDA”) to be greater than 4.00 to 1. The interest coverage ratio generally requires that at the end of any fiscal quarter the Company will not permit the ratio of (a) the Company’s consolidated adjusted EBITDA to (b) the Company’s consolidated interest expense to the extent paid or payable, to be less than 3.00 to 1, during the preceding twelve month period (the “Interest Coverage Ratio Covenant”). As of January 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
	The terms of the Amended Credit Agreement limit the Company’s ability to make “restricted payments,” which include dividends and purchases, redemptions and acquisitions of the Company’s equity interests. The repayment of amounts borrowed under the Amended Credit Agreement are secured by a security interest in the personal property of Greif, Inc. and certain of the Company’s United States subsidiaries, including equipment and inventory and certain intangible assets, as well as a pledge of the capital stock of substantially all of the Company’s United States subsidiaries. The repayment of amounts borrowed under the Amended Credit Agreement is also secured, in part, by capital stock of the non-U.S. subsidiaries that are parties to the Amended Credit Agreement. However, in the event that the Company receives and maintains an investment grade rating from either Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Corporation, the Company may request the release of such collateral. The payment of outstanding principal under the Amended Credit Agreement and accrued interest thereon may be accelerated and become immediately due and payable upon the Company’s default in its payment or other performance obligations or its failure to comply with the financial and other covenants in the Amended Credit Agreement, subject to applicable notice requirements and cure periods as provided in the Amended Credit Agreement.
	During the three months ended January 31, 2014, the Company recorded no debt extinguishment charges. During the three months ended January 31, 2013, the Company recorded debt extinguishment charges of $1.3 million resulting from the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the 2010 Credit Agreement (as defined below). Financing costs associated with the Amended Credit Agreement totaling $3.4 million have been capitalized and included in other long term assets.
	On October 29, 2010, the Company obtained a $1.0 billion senior secured credit facility pursuant to an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions (the “2010 Credit Agreement”). The 2010 Credit Agreement provided for a $750 million revolving multicurrency credit facility and a $250 million term loan, both expiring October 29, 2015, with an option to add $250 million to the facilities with the agreement of the lenders. The $250 million term loan was scheduled to amortize by $3.1 million each quarter-end for the first eight quarters, $6.3 million each quarter-end for the next eleven quarters and the remaining balance due on the maturity date. The 2010 agreement was replaced by the Amended Credit Agreement.
	The Amended Credit Agreement is available to fund ongoing working capital and capital expenditure needs, for general corporate purposes and to finance acquisitions. Interest under the Amended Credit Agreement is based on a Eurodollar rate or a base rate that resets periodically plus a calculated margin amount. As of January 31, 2014, $357.6 million was outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. The current portion of the Amended Credit Agreement was $12.5 million and the long-term portion was $345.1 million. The weighted average interest rate on the Amended Credit Agreement was 1.76% for the three months ended January 31, 2014. The actual interest rate on the Amended Credit Agreement was 1.52% as of January 31, 2014.
	Senior Notes due 2017
	On February 9, 2007, the Company issued $300.0 million of 6.75% Senior Notes due February 1, 2017. Interest on these Senior Notes is payable semi-annually. Proceeds from the issuance of these Senior Notes were principally used to fund the purchase of previously outstanding 8.875% Senior Subordinated Notes in a tender offer and for general corporate purposes.
	The Indenture pursuant to which these Senior Notes were issued contains certain covenants. As of January 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
	Senior Notes due 2019
	On July 28, 2009, the Company issued $250.0 million of 7.75% Senior Notes due August 1, 2019. Interest on these Senior Notes is payable semi-annually. Proceeds from the issuance of these Senior Notes were principally used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving multicurrency credit facility, without any permanent reduction of the commitments thereunder.
	The Indenture pursuant to which these Senior Notes were issued contains certain covenants. As of January 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
	Senior Notes due 2021
	On July 15, 2011, Greif, Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiary Greif Nevada Holdings, Inc., S.C.S. (formerly Greif Luxembourg Finance S.C.A), issued €200.0 million of 7.375% Senior Notes due July 15, 2021. These Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by Greif, Inc. Interest on these Senior Notes is payable semi-annually. A portion of the proceeds from the issuance of these Senior Notes was used to repay non-U.S. borrowings under the 2010 Credit Agreement, without any permanent reduction of the commitments thereunder, and the remaining proceeds are available for general corporate purposes, including the financing of acquisitions.
	The Indenture pursuant to which these Senior Notes were issued contains certain covenants. As of January 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
	United States Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility
	On September 30, 2013, the Company amended and restated its existing receivables financing facility to establish a $170 million United States Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility (the “Amended Receivables Facility”) with a financial institution. The Amended Receivables Facility matures in September 2016. In addition, the Company can terminate the Amended Receivables Facility at any time upon five days prior written notice. The Amended Receivables Facility is secured by certain of the Company’s trade accounts receivable in the United States and bears interest at a variable rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or an applicable base rate, plus a margin, or a commercial paper rate plus a margin. Interest is payable on a monthly basis and the principal balance is payable upon termination of the Amended Receivables Facility. The Amended Receivables Facility also contains certain covenants and events of default, including a requirement that the Company maintain a certain interest coverage ratio. The interest coverage ratio generally requires that at the end of any fiscal quarter the Company will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio Covenant to be less than 3.00 to 1 during the applicable trailing twelve-month period. Proceeds of the Amended Receivables Facility are available for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of January 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with this covenants.
	Until September 30, 2013, the Company had a U.S. trade accounts receivable credit facility with a financial institution (the “Prior Receivables Facility”). The Prior Receivables Facility was amended on September 19, 2011, which decreased the amount available to the borrowers from $135.0 million to $130.0 million and extended the termination date of the commitment to September 19, 2014. The Prior Receivables Facility was secured by certain of the Company’s trade accounts receivable in the United States and bore interest at a variable rate based on the applicable base rate or other agreed-upon rate plus a margin amount. In addition, the Prior Receivables Facility was terminable at any time upon five days prior written notice. A significant portion of the initial proceeds from the Prior Receivables Facility was used to pay the obligations under the previous trade accounts receivable credit facility, which was terminated. The remaining proceeds were and will be used to pay certain fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Prior Receivables Facility and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The agreement for the Prior Receivables Facility contained financial covenants that required the Company to maintain the same leverage ratio and fixed charge ratio as set forth in the 2010 Credit Agreement. On December 19, 2012, this leverage ratio was deleted and the interest coverage ratio set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement was included. On September 30, 2013, the Prior Receivables Facility was terminated and replaced with the Amended Receivables Facility.
	Greif Receivables Funding LLC (“GRF”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, has participated in the purchase and transfer of receivables in connection with these credit facilities and is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. However, because GRF is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Company and its other subsidiaries, the assets of GRF are not available to satisfy the liabilities and obligations of the Company and its other subsidiaries. This entity purchases and services the Company’s trade accounts receivable that were subject to the Prior Receivables Facility and that are subject to the Amended Receivables Facility.
	Other
	In addition to the amounts borrowed under the Amended Credit Agreement and proceeds from the Senior Notes and the Amended Receivables Facility, as of January 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding other debt of $127.1 million, comprised of $32.8 million in long-term debt and $94.3 million in short-term borrowings, compared to other debt outstanding of $99.3 million, comprised of $35.2 million in long-term debt and $64.1 million in short-term borrowings, as of October 31, 2013.
	As of January 31, 2014, the current portion of the Company’s long-term debt was $12.5 million. Annual maturities, including the current portion, of long-term debt under the Company’s various financing arrangements were $7.5 million in 2014, $52.8 million in 2015, $171.0 million in 2016, $321.6 million in 2017, $290.1 million in 2018 and $515.3 million thereafter.
	As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the Company had deferred financing fees and debt issuance costs of $12.6 million and $13.4 million, respectively, which are included in other long-term assets.

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	'
	NOTE 10 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Financial Instruments
	The Company uses derivatives from time to time to mitigate partially the effect of exposure to interest rate movements, exposure to currency fluctuations and energy cost fluctuations. Under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”, all derivatives are to be recognized as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized in either net income or in other comprehensive income, depending on the designated purpose of the derivative.
	While the Company may be exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to its derivative financial instrument contracts, its counterparties are established banks and financial institutions with high credit ratings. The Company has no reason to believe that such counterparties will not be able to fully satisfy their obligations under these contracts.
	During the next twelve months, the Company expects to reclassify into earnings a net loss from accumulated other comprehensive income of approximately $0.5 million after tax at the time the underlying hedge transactions are realized.
	ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements for financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Additionally, this guidance established a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
	The three levels of inputs used to measure fair values are as follows:
		•		Level 1 – Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
		•		Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
		•		Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The following table presents the fair value for those assets and (liabilities) measured on a recurring basis as of January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions):
			October 31, 2013
			Fair Value Measurement										Balance sheet
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total			Location
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—	$	(0.9	)	$	—	$	(0.9	)	Other long-term liabilities
	Foreign exchange hedges			—		0.3			—		0.3		Prepaid expenses and other current assets
	Foreign exchange hedges			—		(1.0	)		—		(1.0	)	Other current liabilities
	Total*		$	—	$	(1.6	)	$	—	$	(1.6	)
			31-Jan-14
			Fair Value Measurement										Balance sheet
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total			Location
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—	$	(0.7	)	$	—	$	(0.7	)	Other long-term liabilities
	Foreign exchange hedges			—		0.7			—		0.7		Prepaid expenses and other current assets
	Foreign exchange hedges			—		(0.9	)		—		(0.9	)	Other current liabilities
	Total*		$	—	$	(0.9	)	$	—	$	(0.9	)
	*	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, current liabilities and short-term borrowings as of January 31, 2014 approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these items and are not included in this table.
	Interest Rate Derivatives
	The Company has interest rate swap agreements with various maturities through December 2014. These interest rate swap agreements are used to manage the Company’s fixed and floating rate debt mix, specifically the Amended Credit Agreement. The assumptions used in measuring fair value of these interest rate derivatives are considered level 2 inputs, which were based on interest from the counterparties based upon the LIBOR and interest paid based upon a designated fixed rate over the life of the swap agreements. These derivative instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the gain or loss on these derivative instruments is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings immediately.
	The Company has two interest rate derivatives (floating to fixed swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges) with a total notional amount of $150 million. Under these swap agreements, the Company receives interest based upon a variable interest rate from the counterparties (weighted average of 0.17% as of January 31, 2014 and 0.17% as of October 31, 2013) and pays interest based upon a fixed interest rate (weighted average of 0.75% as of January 31, 2014 and 0.75% as of October 31, 2013). Losses reclassified to earnings under these contracts were $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These losses were recorded within the consolidated statements of income as interest expense, net. The fair value of these contracts was $0.5 million and $0.6 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively.
	Foreign Exchange Hedges
	The Company conducts business in various international currencies and is subject to risks associated with changing foreign exchange rates. The Company’s objective is to reduce volatility associated with foreign exchange rate changes. Accordingly, the Company enters into various contracts that change in value as foreign exchange rates change to protect the value of certain existing foreign currency assets and liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency cash flows.
	As of January 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts in the notional amount of $129.5 million ($137.6 million as of October 31, 2013). At January 31, 2014, these derivative instruments were designated and qualified as fair value hedges. Adjustments to fair value for fair value hedges are recognized in earnings, offsetting the impact of the hedged item. The assumptions used in measuring fair value of foreign exchange hedges are considered level 2 inputs, which were based on observable market pricing for similar instruments, principally foreign exchange futures contracts. (Gains) losses recorded under fair value contracts were $2.1 million and ($1.7) million for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Energy Hedges
	The Company is exposed to changes in the price of certain commodities. The Company’s objective is to reduce volatility associated with forecasted purchases of these commodities to allow management of the Company to focus its attention on business operations. Accordingly, the Company may enter into derivative contracts to manage the price risk associated with certain of these forecasted purchases.
	From time to time, the Company has entered into certain cash flow hedges to mitigate its exposure to cost fluctuations in natural gas prices. Under these hedge agreements, the Company agreed to purchase natural gas at a fixed price. There were no energy hedges in effect as of January 31, 2014 or October 31, 2013.
	Other financial instruments
	The fair values of the Company’s Amended Credit Agreement and the Amended Receivables Facility do not materially differ from carrying value as the Company’s cost of borrowing is variable and approximates current borrowing rates. The fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations are estimated based on either the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or the current interest rates offered for the debt of the same remaining maturities, which are considered level 2 inputs in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
	The following table presents the estimated fair value compared to the carrying amount for the Company’s Senior Notes (Dollars in millions):
			January 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Senior Notes due 2017
	Estimated fair value		$	332.4	$	334.5
	Carrying amount			301.6		301.8
	Senior Notes due 2019
	Estimated fair value			282.6		289.9
	Carrying amount			244.5		244.4
	Senior Notes due 2021
	Estimated fair value			321.9		317.9
	Carrying amount			270.8		272.4
	Non Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	Long-Lived Assets
	The Company may close manufacturing facilities during the next few years as part of restructuring plans to rationalize costs and realize benefits of synergies. The assumptions used in measuring fair value of long-lived assets are considered level 2 inputs, which include bids received from third parties, recent purchase offers, market comparables and future cash flows. The Company recorded restructuring-related expenses for the three month period ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
	During the three month period ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized no impairment charges.
	Net Assets Held for Sale
	The assumptions used in measuring fair value of net assets held for sale are considered level 2 inputs, which include recent purchase offers, market comparables and/or data obtained from commercial real estate brokers. During the three month period ended January 31, 2014, the Company has not recorded additional impairment related to assets which were previously classified as net assets held for sale. As of October 31, 2013 the Company recorded $4.6 million of impairment related to assets which were previously classified as net assets held for sale.
	Goodwill and Long Lived Intangible Assets
	On an annual basis or whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred, the Company performs impairment tests for goodwill and long lived intangible assets as defined under ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.” The Company concluded that no impairment existed as of January 31, 2014 or October 31, 2013.
	Pension Plan Assets
	On an annual basis the Company compares the asset holdings of the pension plan to targets established by the Company. The pension plan assets are categorized as either equity securities, debt securities, fixed income securities, insurance annuities, or other assets, which are considered level 1, level 2 and level 3 fair value measurements. The typical asset holdings include:
		•		Mutual funds: Valued at the Net Asset Value “NAV” available daily in an observable market.
		•		Common collective trusts: Unit value calculated based on the observable NAV of the underlying investment.
		•		Pooled separate accounts: Unit value calculated based on the observable NAV of the underlying investment.
		•		Government and corporate debt securities: Valued based on readily available inputs such as yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type.
	•		Insurance Annuity: Value is derived based on the value of the corresponding liability.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	NOTE 11 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” which requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income over the requisite service periods. The Company uses the straight-line single option method of expensing stock options to recognize compensation expense in its consolidated statements of income for all share-based awards. Because share-based compensation expense is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, share-based compensation expense will be reduced to account for estimated forfeitures. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. No stock options were granted in 2014 or 2013. For any options granted in the future, compensation expense will be based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	NOTE 12 — INCOME TAXES
	Income tax expense was $16.5 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared with $13.2 million for the first quarter of 2013. The increase was due to higher income. The company’s effective tax rate was 35.1 percent for the first quarter of 2014 versus 34.7 percent for the first quarter of 2013. The higher 2014 effective tax rate reflects the impact of a shift in global earnings mix to countries with higher tax rates.
	The Company has estimated the reasonably possible net change in its unrecognized tax benefits through January 31, 2015 under ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. The Company’s estimate is based on expected settlements, payments of uncertain tax positions and lapses of applicable statutes of limitations. The estimated net decrease in unrecognized tax benefits for the next 12 months ranges from $0 to $22 million. Actual results may differ materially from this estimate.

Retirement_Plans_and_Postretir

Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits	'
	NOTE 13 — RETIREMENT PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS
	The components of net periodic pension cost include the following (Dollars in millions):
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	3.9		$	4.2
	Interest cost		7.4			6.9
	Expected return on plan assets		(8.5	)		(8.1	)
	Amortization of prior service cost, initial net asset and net actuarial gain		2.7			4.2
	Net periodic pension costs	$	5.5		$	7.2
	The Company made $3.3 million in pension contributions in the three months ended January 31, 2014. The Company estimates $13.2 million of pension contributions for the twelve months ended October 31, 2014.
	The components of net periodic cost for postretirement benefits include the following (Dollars in millions):
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	—		$	—
	Interest cost		0.2			0.2
	Amortization of prior service cost and recognized actuarial gain		(0.4	)		(0.4	)
	Net periodic benefit for postretirement benefits	$	(0.2	)	$	(0.2	)

Contingent_Liabilities

Contingent Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingent Liabilities	'
	NOTE 14 — CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
	Litigation-related Liabilities
	The Company may become involved from time-to-time in litigation and regulatory matters incidental to its business, including governmental investigations, enforcement actions, personal injury claims, product liability, employment health and safety matters, commercial disputes, intellectual property matters, disputes regarding environmental clean-up costs, litigation in connection with acquisitions and divestitures, and other matters arising out of the normal conduct of its business. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in such litigation. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.
	Environmental Reserves
	As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, environmental reserves of $26.5 million and $26.8 million, respectively, were included in other long-term liabilities and were recorded on an undiscounted basis. These reserves are principally based on environmental studies and cost estimates provided by third parties, but also take into account management estimates. The estimated liabilities are reduced to reflect the anticipated participation of other potentially responsible parties in those instances where it is probable that such parties are legally responsible and financially capable of paying their respective shares of relevant costs. For sites that involve formal actions subject to joint and several liabilities, these actions have formal agreements in place to apportion the liability. As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, environmental reserves of the Company included $13.8 million and $13.8 million, respectively, for its blending facility in Chicago, Illinois, $7.5 million and $7.7 million, respectively, for various European drum facilities acquired from Blagden and Van Leer; $2.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, for its various container life cycle management and recycling facilities acquired in 2011 and 2010, and $2.9 million and $3.0 million for various other facilities around the world.
	The Company’s exposure to adverse developments with respect to any individual site is not expected to be material. Although environmental remediation could have a material effect on results of operations if a series of adverse developments occur in a particular quarter or year, the Company believes that the chance of a series of adverse developments occurring in the same quarter or year is remote. Future information and developments will require the Company to continually reassess the expected impact of these environmental matters.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	NOTE 15 —EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The Company has two classes of common stock and, as such, applies the “two-class method” of computing earnings per share (“EPS”) as prescribed in ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.” In accordance with this guidance, earnings are allocated first to Class A and Class B Common Stock to the extent that dividends are actually paid and the remainder allocated assuming all of the earnings for the period have been distributed in the form of dividends.
	The Company calculates Class A EPS as follows: (i) multiply 40 percent times the average Class A shares outstanding, then divide that amount by the product of 40 percent of the average Class A shares outstanding plus 60 percent of the average Class B shares outstanding to get a percentage, (ii) undistributed net income divided by the average Class A shares outstanding, (iii) multiply item (i) by item (ii), (iv) add item (iii) to the Class A cash dividend. Diluted shares are factored into the Class A calculation.
	The Company calculates Class B EPS as follows: (i) multiply 60 percent times the average Class B shares outstanding, then divide that amount by the product of 40 percent of the average Class A shares outstanding plus 60 percent of the average Class B shares outstanding to get a percentage, (ii) undistributed net income divided by the average Class B shares outstanding, (iii) multiply item (i) by item (ii), (iv) add item (iii) to the Class B cash dividend. Class B diluted EPS is identical to Class B basic EPS.
	The following table provides EPS information for each period, respectively:
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014		2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted EPS
	Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$	29.5	$	23.6
	Cash dividends		24.4		24.4
	Undistributed net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$	5.1	$	(0.8	)
	Denominator for basic EPS
	Class A common stock		25.5		25.3
	Class B common stock		22.1		22.1
	Denominator for diluted EPS
	Class A common stock		25.5		25.4
	Class B common stock		22.1		22.1
	EPS Basic
	Class A common stock	$	0.51	$	0.41
	Class B common stock	$	0.75	$	0.6
	EPS Diluted
	Class A common stock	$	0.51	$	0.41
	Class B common stock	$	0.75	$	0.6
	Dividends per share
	Class A common stock	$	0.42	$	0.42
	Class B common stock	$	0.62	$	0.62
	Class A Common Stock is entitled to cumulative dividends of one cent a share per year after which Class B Common Stock is entitled to non-cumulative dividends up to a half-cent a share per year. Further distribution in any year must be made in proportion of one cent a share for Class A Common Stock to one and a half cents a share for Class B Common Stock. The Class A Common Stock has no voting rights unless four quarterly cumulative dividends upon the Class A Common Stock are in arrears. The Class B Common Stock has full voting rights. There is no cumulative voting for the election of directors.
	Common stock repurchases
	The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of up to four million shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock or any combination of the foregoing. During the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased no shares of Class A or Class B Common Stock, respectively. As of January 31, 2014, the Company had repurchased 3,184,272 shares, including 1,425,452 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,758,820 shares of Class B Common Stock, under this program, all of which were repurchased in prior years. The total cost of the shares repurchased from November 1, 2012 through January 31, 2014 was approximately $0.1 million.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s Class A and Class B common and treasury shares as of the specified dates:
		Authorized Shares		Issued Shares			Outstanding		Treasury Shares
							Shares
	October 31, 2013:
	Class A Common Stock		128,000,000		42,281,920			25,456,724		16,825,196
	Class B Common Stock		69,120,000		34,560,000			22,119,966		12,440,034
	January 31, 2014:
	Class A Common Stock		128,000,000		42,281,920			25,517,398		16,764,522
	Class B Common Stock		69,120,000		34,560,000			22,119,966		12,440,034
	The following is a reconciliation of the shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014		2013
	Class A Common Stock:
	Basic shares		25,470,354		25,316,395
	Assumed conversion of stock options		24,993		63,352
	Diluted shares		25,495,347		25,379,747
	Class B Common Stock:
	Basic and diluted shares		22,119,966		22,119,966
	No stock options were antidilutive for the three month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Equity_Earnings_of_Unconsolida

Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates, Net of Tax and Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates, Net of Tax and Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	'
	NOTE 16 – EQUITY EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX AND NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
	Equity of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax
	Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax represent the Company’s share of earnings of affiliates in which the Company does not exercise control and has a 20 percent or more voting interest. Investments in such affiliates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. If the fair value of an investment in an affiliate is below its carrying value and the difference is deemed to be other than temporary, the difference between the fair value and the carrying value is charged to earnings. The Company has an equity interest in four such affiliates. Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 were $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Dividends received from the Company’s equity method affiliates for the three months ended January 31, 2014 were $0.2 million and were immaterial for the three months ended January 31, 2013. The Company has made loans to an entity deemed a VIE and accounted for as an unconsolidated equity investment. These loans bear interest at various interest rates. The original principal balance of these loans was $22.2 million. As of January 31, 2014, these loans had an outstanding balance of $13.9 million.
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests represent the portion of earnings or losses from the operations of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries attributable to unrelated third party equity owners that were deducted from net income to arrive at net income attributable to the Company. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Shareholders_Equity_and_Compre

Shareholders Equity and Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders Equity and Comprehensive Income	'
	NOTE 17 — SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The following table summarizes the changes of Shareholders’ Equity from October 31, 2013 to January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions, shares in thousands):
		Capital Stock						Treasury Stock												Accumulated
																				Other
		Common			Amount			Treasury			Amount			Retained			Noncontrolling			Comprehensive			Shareholders’
		Shares						Shares						Earnings			interests			Income (Loss)			Equity
	As of October 31, 2013		47,577		$	129.4			29,265		$	(131.0	)	$	1,443.80		$	114.8		$	(159.0	)	$	1,398.00
	Net income														29.5			1.1						30.6
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	- foreign currency translation																	(0.6	)		(32.5	)		(33.1	)
	- Reclassification of cash flow hedges to earnings, net of income tax benefit of $0.1 million																				0.2			0.2
	- Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of immaterial income tax expense																				(0.1	)		(0.1	)
	- minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income tax benefit of $0.1 million																				(0.3	)		(0.3	)
	Comprehensive income																							(2.7	)
	Noncontrolling interests and other																	0.7						0.7
	Dividends paid														(24.4	)								(24.4	)
	Stock options exercised		4			0.1			(4	)		—												0.1
	Long-term incentive shares issued		56			2.8			(56	)		0.1												2.9
	As of January 31, 2014		47,637		$	132.3			29,205		$	(130.9	)	$	1,448.90		$	116		$	(191.7	)	$	1,374.60
	The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions):
		Foreign			Cash			Minimum			Accumulated
		Currency			Flow			Pension			Other
		Translation			Hedges			Liability			Comprehensive
								Adjustment			Income (Loss)
	Balance as of October 31, 2013	$	(63.3	)	$	(0.6	)	$	(95.1	)	$	(159.0	)
	Other Comprehensive Loss Before Reclassifications		(32.5	)		(0.1	)		(0.3	)	$	(32.9	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		—			0.2			—		$	0.2
	Current-period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		(32.5	)		0.1			(0.3	)		(32.7	)
	Balance as of January 31, 2014	$	(95.8	)	$	(0.5	)	$	(95.4	)	$	(191.7	)
	The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31, 2013 (Dollars in millions):
		Foreign			Cash			Minimum			Accumulated
		Currency			Flow			Pension			Other
		Translation			Hedges			Liability			Comprehensive
								Adjustment			Income (Loss)
	Balance as of October 31, 2012	$	(69.1	)	$	(0.9	)	$	(126.0	)	$	(196.0	)
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications		11.6			0.1			(0.4	)		11.3
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		—			0.1			—			0.1
	Current-period Other Comprehensive Income		11.6			0.2			(0.4	)		11.4
	Balance as of January 31, 2013	$	(57.5	)	$	(0.7	)	$	(126.4	)	$	(184.6	)
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income above are presented net of tax, as applicable.
	The following table provides amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31 (Dollars in millions):
	Details about Accumulated Other	Ammount Reclassified from						Location on
	Comprehensive Income Components	Accumulated Other						Consolidated
		Comprehensive Loss						Statements of Income
		2014			2013
	Cash Flow Hedges	$	0.2		$	0.1		Other expense, net
		$	0.2		$	0.1		Net income

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segment Information	'
	NOTE 18 — BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company has five operating segments, which are aggregated into four reportable business segments: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services; Paper Packaging; Flexible Products & Services; and Land Management.
	Operations in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment involve the production and sale of rigid industrial packaging products, such as steel, fibre and plastic drums, rigid intermediate bulk containers, closure systems for industrial packaging products, transit protection products, water bottles and reconditioned containers, and services, such as container life cycle services, blending, filling and other packaging services, logistics and warehousing. The Company’s rigid industrial packaging products are sold to customers in industries such as chemicals, paints and pigments, food and beverage, petroleum, industrial coatings, agricultural, pharmaceutical and mineral, among others.
	Operations in the Paper Packaging segment involve the production and sale of containerboard, corrugated sheets, corrugated containers and other corrugated products to customers in North America. The Company’s corrugated container products are used to ship such diverse products as home appliances, small machinery, grocery products, automotive components, books and furniture, as well as numerous other applications.
	Operations in the Flexible Products & Services segment involve the production and sale of flexible intermediate bulk containers and related services on a global basis and the sale of multiwall bag products in North America. The Company’s flexible intermediate bulk containers are constructed from a polypropylene-based woven fabric that is produced at its fully integrated production sites, as well as sourced from strategic regional suppliers. Flexible products are sold globally and service customers and market segments similar to those in the Company’s Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment. Additionally, the Company’s flexible products significantly expand its presence in the agricultural and food industries, among others. The Company’s multiwall bag products are used to ship a wide range of industrial and consumer products, such as seed, fertilizers, chemicals, concrete, flour, sugar, feed, pet foods, popcorn, charcoal and salt, primarily for the agricultural, chemical, building products and food industries.
	Operations in the Land Management segment involve the management and sale of timber and special use properties from approximately 246,400 acres of timber properties in the southeastern United States, which are actively managed, and 10,300 acres of timber properties in Canada. Land Management’s operations focus on the active harvesting and regeneration of the Company’s United States timber properties to achieve sustainable long-term yields. While timber sales are subject to fluctuations, the Company seeks to maintain a consistent cutting schedule, within the limits of market and weather conditions. The Company also sells, from time to time, timberland and special use properties, which consists of surplus properties, HBU properties, and development properties.
	In order to maximize the value of timber property, the Company continues to review its current portfolio and explore the development of certain of these properties in Canada and the United States. This process has led the Company to characterize property as follows:
		•		Surplus property, meaning land that cannot be efficiently or effectively managed by the Company, whether due to parcel size, lack of productivity, location, access limitations or for other reasons.
		•		HBU property, meaning land that in its current state has a higher market value for uses other than growing and selling timber.
		•		Development property, meaning HBU land that, with additional investment, may have a significantly higher market value than its HBU market value.
		•		Timberland, meaning land that is best suited for growing and selling timber.
	The disposal of surplus and HBU property is reported in the consolidated statements of income under “gain on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net” and the sale of development property is reported under “net sales” and “cost of products sold.” All HBU, development and surplus property is used by the Company to productively grow and sell timber until sold.
	Whether timberland has a higher value for uses other than growing and selling timber is a determination based upon several variables, such as proximity to population centers, anticipated population growth in the area, the topography of the land, aesthetic considerations, including access to water, the condition of the surrounding land, availability of utilities, markets for timber and economic considerations both nationally and locally. Given these considerations, the characterization of land is not a static process, but requires an ongoing review and re-characterization as circumstances change.
	The Company’s reportable business segments offer different products and services. The accounting policies of the reportable business segments are substantially the same as those described in the “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” note in the 2013 Form 10-K.
	The following segment information is presented for the periods indicated (Dollars in millions):
			Three months ended
			January 31,
			2014		2013
	Net sales
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services		$	712.3	$	704.4
	Paper Packaging			202.7		184.2
	Flexible Products & Services			113.2		111.4
	Land Management			6.2		8.6
	Total net sales		$	1,034.40	$	1,008.60
	Operating profit:
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services		$	29.5	$	31.5
	Paper Packaging			30		27.7
	Flexible Products & Services			0.8		0.6
	Land Management			11.7		4.2
	Total operating profit		$	72	$	64
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services		$	27.4	$	26.9
	Paper Packaging			7.2		8
	Flexible Products & Services			3.7		3.5
	Land Management			0.8		1.1
	Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense		$	39.1	$	39.5
	The following table presents net sales to external customers by geographic area (Dollars in millions):
			Three months ended
			January 31,
			2014		2013
	Net sales:
	North America		$	500.4	$	476.1
	Europe, Middle East and Africa			375		370.6
	Asia Pacific and Latin America			159		161.9
	Total net sales		$	1,034.40	$	1,008.60
	The following table presents total assets by segment and geographic area (Dollars in millions):
			January 31,		October 31,
			2014		2013
	Assets:
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services		$	2,453.10	$	2,441.60
	Paper Packaging			416.7		413.3
	Flexible Products & Services			363.2		367.3
	Land Management			286.2		280.7
	Total segments			3,519.20		3,502.90
	Corporate and other			413.1		379.3
	Total assets		$	3,932.30	$	3,882.20
	Assets:
	North America		$	1,883.50	$	1,818.20
	Europe, Middle East and Africa			1,518.10		1,517.40
	Asia Pacific and Latin America			530.7		546.6
	Total assets		$	3,932.30	$	3,882.20

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated balance sheets as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 of Greif, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Greif, Inc., all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and investments in limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures in which it has controlling influence. Non-majority owned entities include investments in limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures in which the Company does not have controlling influence.
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended October 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”). Note 1 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” from the 2013 Form 10-K is specifically incorporated in this Form 10-Q by reference. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature.
	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) instructions to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.
	The Company’s fiscal year begins on November 1 and ends on October 31 of the following year. Any references to the year 2014 or 2013, or to any quarter of those years, relates to the fiscal year or quarter, as the case may be, ended in that year.
	The Company presents various fair value disclosures in Notes 3 and 10 to these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Newly Adopted Accounting Standards	'
	Newly Adopted Accounting Standards
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-11 “Balance Sheet: Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” Subsequently, in January 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance in ASU 2013-01 “Balance Sheet: Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” The balance sheet offsetting disclosures were limited in scope to derivatives, repurchase agreements, and securities lending transactions to the extent they are offset in the financial statements or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar arrangement. The Company adopted the new guidance beginning on November 1, 2013, and the adoption of the new guidance did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows, other than the related disclosures.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 “Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The objective of this update is to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in this update seek to attain that objective by requiring an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. This would be the case when a portion of the amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income is reclassified to a balance sheet account instead of directly to income or expense in the same reporting period. The Company adopted the new guidance beginning on November 1, 2013, and the adoption of the new guidance did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows, other than the related disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	As of January 31, 2014, the FASB has issued ASU’s through 2014-05. The Company has reviewed each recently issued ASU and the adoption of each ASU that is applicable to the Company is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows, other than the related disclosures.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05 “Foreign Currency Matters: Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or an Investment in a Foreign Entity.” The objective of this update is to resolve the diversity in practice about whether Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810-10 or ASC 830-30 applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business (other than a sale of in substance real estate or conveyance of oil and gas rights) within a foreign entity. The Company is expected to adopt the new guidance beginning November 1, 2014, and the impact of the adoption of the new guidance will be evaluated when an acquisition or divestiture occurs with respect to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and disclosures.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11 “Income Taxes: Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The objective of this update is to eliminate the diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments in this update seek to attain that objective by requiring an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for those instances described above, except in certain situations discussed in the update. The Company is expected to adopt the new guidance beginning on November 1, 2014 and the adoption of the new guidance is not expected to impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows, other than the related disclosures.
Earnings Per Share	'
	The Company has two classes of common stock and, as such, applies the “two-class method” of computing earnings per share (“EPS”) as prescribed in ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.” In accordance with this guidance, earnings are allocated first to Class A and Class B Common Stock to the extent that dividends are actually paid and the remainder allocated assuming all of the earnings for the period have been distributed in the form of dividends.

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_1

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Significant Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s acquisition activity in 2014 and 2013 (Dollars in millions):
	Segment	# of		Purchase Price,		Tangible Assets,		Intangible		Goodwill
		Acquisitions		net of Cash		net		Assets
	Total 2014 Acquisitions		2	$	52.3		2.5		13.8		34.2
	Total 2013 Acquisitions		—	$	—		—		—		—

Sale_of_NonUnited_States_Accou1

Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Company's Accounts Receivables Programs	'
	The tables below contain information related to the Company’s accounts receivables programs (Dollars in millions):
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014		2013
	European RPA
	Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$	243.5	$	242.2
	Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the programs		215.4		214.7
	Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		28.1		27.5
	Loss associated with the programs		0.7		0.7
	Expenses associated with the programs		—		—
	Singapore RPA
	Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$	15	$	17.2
	Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program		15		17.2
	Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		—		—
	Loss associated with the program		—		—
	Expenses associated with the program		0.1		0.1
	Malaysian Agreement
	Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$	0.8	$	5.3
	Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program		0.8		5.3
	Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		—		—
	Loss associated with the program		—		—
	Expenses associated with the program		—		—
	Total RPAs and Agreement
	Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$	259.3	$	264.7
	Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program		231.2		237.2
	Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		28.1		27.5
	Loss associated with the program		0.7		0.7
	Expenses associated with the program		0.1		0.1
		January 31,		October 31,
		2014		2013
	European RPA
	Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	$	160.1	$	179
	Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		21.2		11.5
	Singapore RPA
	Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	$	5.7	$	4.4
	Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		—		—
	Malaysian Agreement
	Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	$	0.3	$	4.5
	Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold		—		—
	Total RPAs and Agreement
	Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	$	166.1	$	187.9
	Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	$	21.2	$	11.5

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summarization of Inventories	'
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are summarized as follows (Dollars in millions):
		January 31,		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished Goods	$	100.4	$	98.5
	Raw materials		263.8		240.4
	Work-in-process		33.9		36.4
		$	398.1	$	375.3

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the three month period ended January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions):
		Rigid Industrial			Flexible Products &			Paper Packaging		Land Management		Total
		Packaging &			Services
		Services
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	867.3		$	76.3		$	59.9	$	—	$	1,003.50
	Goodwill acquired		34.2			—			—		—		34.2
	Goodwill adjustments		—			—			—		—		—
	Currency translation		(8.2	)		(0.6	)		—		—		(8.8	)
	Balance at January 31, 2014	$	893.3		$	75.7		$	59.9	$	—	$	1,028.90
Summary of Carrying Amount of Net Intangible Assets by Class	'
	The following table summarizes the carrying amount of net intangible assets by class as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 (Dollars in millions):
		Gross Intangible Assets			Accumulated			Net Intangible
					Amortization			Assets
	October 31, 2013:
	Trademark and patents	$	31.1		$	4.3		$	26.8
	Non-compete agreements		14.6			12.6			2
	Customer relationships		205.6			69.4			136.2
	Other		23.5			7.7			15.8
	Total	$	274.8		$	94		$	180.8
	January 31, 2014:
	Trademark and patents	$	31.8		$	4.5		$	27.3
	Non-compete agreements		14.6			12.8			1.8
	Customer relationships		216			72.7			143.3
	Other		23.3			8.2			15.1
	Total	$	285.7		$	98.2		$	187.5

Restructuring_Charges_Tables

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Restructuring Reserve Balances	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring reserve balances for the three month period ended January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions):
		Cash Charges						Non-cash
								Charges
		Employee			Other			Asset			Total
		Separation			Costs			Impairments
		Costs
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	1.8		$	1.2		$	—		$	3
	Costs incurred and charged to expense		2.4			—			0.2			2.6
	Costs paid or otherwise settled		(1.3	)		(0.1	)		(0.2	)		(1.6	)
	Balance at January 31, 2014	$	2.9		$	1.1		$	—		$	4
Reconciliation of Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred from Open Restructuring Plans Anticipated to be Realized	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts expected to be incurred from open restructuring plans or plans that are being formulated and have not been announced as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Remaining amounts expected to be incurred were $9.7 million and $6.6 million as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively. The increase was due to the formulation of new plans during the period offset by the realization of expenses from plans formulated in prior periods. (Dollars in millions):
		Amounts Expected to be			Amounts expensed during			Amounts Remaining to
		Incurred			the three month period			be Incurred
					ended January 31, 2014
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services
	Employee separation costs	$	5.8		$	2.3		$	3.5
	Asset impairments		0.2			0.2			—
	Other restructuring costs		4.5			—			4.5
			10.5			2.5			8
	Flexible Products & Services
	Employee separation costs		0.3			0.1			0.2
	Asset impairments		—			—			—
	Other restructuring costs		1.5			—			1.5
			1.8			0.1			1.7
		$	12.3		$	2.6		$	9.7

Variable_Interest_Entities_Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Total Net Assets of Flexible Packaging JV	'
	The following table presents the Flexible Packaging JV total net assets (Dollars in millions):
	October 31, 2013	Asset Co.			Global Textile		Trading Co.		Flexible Packaging JV
	Total assets	$	155.5		$	44.9	$	163.6	$	364
	Total liabilities		209.8			1.2		57.3		268.3
	Net assets	$	(54.3	)	$	43.7	$	106.3	$	95.7
	January 31, 2014	Asset Co.			Global Textile		Trading Co.		Flexible Packaging JV
	Total assets	$	137.9		$	55.8	$	168	$	361.7
	Total liabilities		217.8			2.3		56.8		276.9
	Net assets	$	(79.9	)	$	53.5	$	111.2	$	84.8

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt is summarized as follows (Dollars in millions):
		January 31, 2014			October 31, 2013
	Amended Credit Agreement	$	357.6		$	222.9
	Senior Notes due 2017		301.6			301.8
	Senior Notes due 2019		244.5			244.4
	Senior Notes due 2021		270.8			272.9
	Amended Receivables Facility		151			140
	Other long-term debt		32.8			35.2
			1,358.30			1,217.20
	Less current portion		(12.5	)		(10.0	)
	Long-term debt	$	1,345.80		$	1,207.20

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair1

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'
	The following table presents the fair value for those assets and (liabilities) measured on a recurring basis as of January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions):
			October 31, 2013
			Fair Value Measurement										Balance sheet
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total			Location
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—	$	(0.9	)	$	—	$	(0.9	)	Other long-term liabilities
	Foreign exchange hedges			—		0.3			—		0.3		Prepaid expenses and other current assets
	Foreign exchange hedges			—		(1.0	)		—		(1.0	)	Other current liabilities
	Total*		$	—	$	(1.6	)	$	—	$	(1.6	)
			31-Jan-14
			Fair Value Measurement										Balance sheet
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total			Location
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—	$	(0.7	)	$	—	$	(0.7	)	Other long-term liabilities
	Foreign exchange hedges			—		0.7			—		0.7		Prepaid expenses and other current assets
	Foreign exchange hedges			—		(0.9	)		—		(0.9	)	Other current liabilities
	Total*		$	—	$	(0.9	)	$	—	$	(0.9	)
	*	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, current liabilities and short-term borrowings as of January 31, 2014 approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these items and are not included in this table.
Senior Notes Estimated Fair Value Compared to Carrying Amount	'
	The following table presents the estimated fair value compared to the carrying amount for the Company’s Senior Notes (Dollars in millions):
			January 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Senior Notes due 2017
	Estimated fair value		$	332.4	$	334.5
	Carrying amount			301.6		301.8
	Senior Notes due 2019
	Estimated fair value			282.6		289.9
	Carrying amount			244.5		244.4
	Senior Notes due 2021
	Estimated fair value			321.9		317.9
	Carrying amount			270.8		272.4

Retirement_Plans_and_Postretir1

Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost	'
	The components of net periodic pension cost include the following (Dollars in millions):
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	3.9		$	4.2
	Interest cost		7.4			6.9
	Expected return on plan assets		(8.5	)		(8.1	)
	Amortization of prior service cost, initial net asset and net actuarial gain		2.7			4.2
	Net periodic pension costs	$	5.5		$	7.2
Components of Net Periodic Cost for Postretirement Benefits	'
	The components of net periodic cost for postretirement benefits include the following (Dollars in millions):
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	—		$	—
	Interest cost		0.2			0.2
	Amortization of prior service cost and recognized actuarial gain		(0.4	)		(0.4	)
	Net periodic benefit for postretirement benefits	$	(0.2	)	$	(0.2	)

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted	'
	The following table provides EPS information for each period, respectively:
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014		2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted EPS
	Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$	29.5	$	23.6
	Cash dividends		24.4		24.4
	Undistributed net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$	5.1	$	(0.8	)
	Denominator for basic EPS
	Class A common stock		25.5		25.3
	Class B common stock		22.1		22.1
	Denominator for diluted EPS
	Class A common stock		25.5		25.4
	Class B common stock		22.1		22.1
	EPS Basic
	Class A common stock	$	0.51	$	0.41
	Class B common stock	$	0.75	$	0.6
	EPS Diluted
	Class A common stock	$	0.51	$	0.41
	Class B common stock	$	0.75	$	0.6
	Dividends per share
	Class A common stock	$	0.42	$	0.42
	Class B common stock	$	0.62	$	0.62
Summarization of Company's Class A and Class B Common and Treasury Shares	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s Class A and Class B common and treasury shares as of the specified dates:
		Authorized Shares		Issued Shares			Outstanding		Treasury Shares
							Shares
	October 31, 2013:
	Class A Common Stock		128,000,000		42,281,920			25,456,724		16,825,196
	Class B Common Stock		69,120,000		34,560,000			22,119,966		12,440,034
	January 31, 2014:
	Class A Common Stock		128,000,000		42,281,920			25,517,398		16,764,522
	Class B Common Stock		69,120,000		34,560,000			22,119,966		12,440,034
Reconciliation of Shares Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014		2013
	Class A Common Stock:
	Basic shares		25,470,354		25,316,395
	Assumed conversion of stock options		24,993		63,352
	Diluted shares		25,495,347		25,379,747
	Class B Common Stock:
	Basic and diluted shares		22,119,966		22,119,966

Shareholders_Equity_and_Compre1

Shareholders Equity and Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Shareholders Equity	'
	The following table summarizes the changes of Shareholders’ Equity from October 31, 2013 to January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions, shares in thousands):
		Capital Stock						Treasury Stock												Accumulated
																				Other
		Common			Amount			Treasury			Amount			Retained			Noncontrolling			Comprehensive			Shareholders’
		Shares						Shares						Earnings			interests			Income (Loss)			Equity
	As of October 31, 2013		47,577		$	129.4			29,265		$	(131.0	)	$	1,443.80		$	114.8		$	(159.0	)	$	1,398.00
	Net income														29.5			1.1						30.6
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	- foreign currency translation																	(0.6	)		(32.5	)		(33.1	)
	- Reclassification of cash flow hedges to earnings, net of income tax benefit of $0.1 million																				0.2			0.2
	- Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of immaterial income tax expense																				(0.1	)		(0.1	)
	- minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income tax benefit of $0.1 million																				(0.3	)		(0.3	)
	Comprehensive income																							(2.7	)
	Noncontrolling interests and other																	0.7						0.7
	Dividends paid														(24.4	)								(24.4	)
	Stock options exercised		4			0.1			(4	)		—												0.1
	Long-term incentive shares issued		56			2.8			(56	)		0.1												2.9
	As of January 31, 2014		47,637		$	132.3			29,205		$	(130.9	)	$	1,448.90		$	116		$	(191.7	)	$	1,374.60
Rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31, 2014 (Dollars in millions):
		Foreign			Cash			Minimum			Accumulated
		Currency			Flow			Pension			Other
		Translation			Hedges			Liability			Comprehensive
								Adjustment			Income (Loss)
	Balance as of October 31, 2013	$	(63.3	)	$	(0.6	)	$	(95.1	)	$	(159.0	)
	Other Comprehensive Loss Before Reclassifications		(32.5	)		(0.1	)		(0.3	)	$	(32.9	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		—			0.2			—		$	0.2
	Current-period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		(32.5	)		0.1			(0.3	)		(32.7	)
	Balance as of January 31, 2014	$	(95.8	)	$	(0.5	)	$	(95.4	)	$	(191.7	)
	The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31, 2013 (Dollars in millions):
		Foreign			Cash			Minimum			Accumulated
		Currency			Flow			Pension			Other
		Translation			Hedges			Liability			Comprehensive
								Adjustment			Income (Loss)
	Balance as of October 31, 2012	$	(69.1	)	$	(0.9	)	$	(126.0	)	$	(196.0	)
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications		11.6			0.1			(0.4	)		11.3
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		—			0.1			—			0.1
	Current-period Other Comprehensive Income		11.6			0.2			(0.4	)		11.4
	Balance as of January 31, 2013	$	(57.5	)	$	(0.7	)	$	(126.4	)	$	(184.6	)
Significant Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table provides amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31 (Dollars in millions):
	Details about Accumulated Other	Ammount Reclassified from						Location on
	Comprehensive Income Components	Accumulated Other						Consolidated
		Comprehensive Loss						Statements of Income
		2014			2013
	Cash Flow Hedges	$	0.2		$	0.1		Other expense, net
		$	0.2		$	0.1		Net income

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	The following segment information is presented for the periods indicated (Dollars in millions):
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014		2013
	Net sales
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services	$	712.3	$	704.4
	Paper Packaging		202.7		184.2
	Flexible Products & Services		113.2		111.4
	Land Management		6.2		8.6
	Total net sales	$	1,034.40	$	1,008.60
	Operating profit:
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services	$	29.5	$	31.5
	Paper Packaging		30		27.7
	Flexible Products & Services		0.8		0.6
	Land Management		11.7		4.2
	Total operating profit	$	72	$	64
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services	$	27.4	$	26.9
	Paper Packaging		7.2		8
	Flexible Products & Services		3.7		3.5
	Land Management		0.8		1.1
	Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	$	39.1	$	39.5
Net Sales to External Customers by Geographical Area	'
	The following table presents net sales to external customers by geographic area (Dollars in millions):
		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2014		2013
	Net sales:
	North America	$	500.4	$	476.1
	Europe, Middle East and Africa		375		370.6
	Asia Pacific and Latin America		159		161.9
	Total net sales	$	1,034.40	$	1,008.60
Total Assets by Segments	'
	The following table presents total assets by segment and geographic area (Dollars in millions):
		January 31,		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Assets:
	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services	$	2,453.10	$	2,441.60
	Paper Packaging		416.7		413.3
	Flexible Products & Services		363.2		367.3
	Land Management		286.2		280.7
	Total segments		3,519.20		3,502.90
	Corporate and other		413.1		379.3
	Total assets	$	3,932.30	$	3,882.20
Total Assets by Geographical Area	'
	The following table presents total assets by geographic area (Dollars in millions):
	Assets:
	North America	$	1,883.50	$	1,818.20
	Europe, Middle East and Africa		1,518.10		1,517.40
	Asia Pacific and Latin America		530.7		546.6
	Total assets	$	3,932.30	$	3,882.20

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_2

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Significant Transactions - Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
	Acquisition	Acquisition		Total 2014 Acquisitions [Member]	Total 2013 Acquisitions [[Member]
				Acquisition	Acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	2	0	'	2	'
Purchase Price, net of Cash	$52.30	'	'	$52.30	'
Tangible Assets, net	'	'	'	2.5	'
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	13.8	'
Goodwill	$1,028.90	'	$1,003.50	$34.20	'

Acquisitions_Divestitures_and_3

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Significant Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
	Company	Acquisition
	Acquisition
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'
Number of acquisitions completed	2	0
Number of rigid industrial packaging and services companies acquired	1	'
Number of paper packaging and services companies acquired	1	'
Revenue	$6	'
Operating profit (loss)	$0.90	'

Sale_of_NonUnited_States_Accou2

Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
		Singapore RPA [Member]	Singapore RPA [Member]	Malaysian Agreement [Member]	Malaysian Agreement [Member]	European RPA [Member]	European RPA [Member]
		USD ($)	SGD	USD ($)	MYR	USD ($)	EUR (€)
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable maximum amount under receivable purchase agreement	'	$11.80	15	$4.50	15	$198.20	€ 145
Minimum percentage of eligible receivables related with bank funds initial purchase price	75.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum percentage of eligible receivables related with bank funds initial purchase price	90.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'

Sale_of_NonUnited_States_Accou3

Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable - Company's Accounts Receivables Programs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
European RPA [Member]	'	'	'
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$243.50	$242.20	'
Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program	215.4	214.7	'
Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	28.1	27.5	'
Loss associated with the program	0.7	0.7	'
Expenses associated with the program	'	'	'
Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	160.1	'	179
Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	21.2	'	11.5
Singapore RPA [Member]	'	'	'
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	15	17.2	'
Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program	15	17.2	'
Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	'	'	'
Loss associated with the program	'	'	'
Expenses associated with the program	0.1	0.1	'
Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	5.7	'	4.4
Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	'	'	'
Malaysian Agreement [Member]	'	'	'
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	0.8	5.3	'
Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program	0.8	5.3	'
Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	'	'	'
Loss associated with the program	'	'	'
Expenses associated with the program	'	'	'
Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	0.3	'	4.5
Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	'	'	'
Total RPAs and Agreement [Member]	'	'	'
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	259.3	264.7	'
Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program	231.2	237.2	'
Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	28.1	27.5	'
Loss associated with the program	0.7	0.7	'
Expenses associated with the program	0.1	0.1	'
Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	166.1	'	187.9
Uncollected deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	$21.20	'	$11.50

Inventories_Summarization_of_I

Inventories - Summarization of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Finished Goods	$100.40	$98.50
Raw materials	263.8	240.4
Work-in-process	33.9	36.4
Inventories, Net	$398.10	$375.30

Net_Assets_Held_for_Sales_and_1

Net Assets Held for Sales and Disposals of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
	Assets		Flexible Products & Services [Member]	Flexible Products & Services [Member]	Land Management [Member]	Paper Packaging [Member]	Paper Packaging [Member]	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]
			Assets	Assets		Other Development Land [Member]	Other Miscellaneous Equipment [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of assets group with assets held for sale	'	'	1	2	'	'	'	'
Number of assets group disposed	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) on disposals of property, plant and equipment, net	$0.80	$1.20	'	'	$1.40	$0.80	$0.30	'
Disposal of equity method investment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.7
Gain (loss) on sale of timberland	$8.70	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill beginning balance	$1,003.50
Goodwill acquired	34.2
Goodwill adjustments	'
Currency translation	-8.8
Goodwill ending balance	1,028.90
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill beginning balance	867.3
Goodwill acquired	34.2
Goodwill adjustments	'
Currency translation	-8.2
Goodwill ending balance	893.3
Flexible Products & Services [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill beginning balance	76.3
Goodwill acquired	'
Goodwill adjustments	'
Currency translation	-0.6
Goodwill ending balance	75.7
Paper Packaging [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill beginning balance	59.9
Goodwill acquired	'
Goodwill adjustments	'
Currency translation	'
Goodwill ending balance	59.9
Land Management [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Goodwill beginning balance	'
Goodwill acquired	'
Goodwill adjustments	'
Currency translation	'
Goodwill ending balance	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
	Acquisition	Acquisition
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Increase in goodwill	$25.40	'
Increase in goodwill attributable to currency fluctuations	8.8	'
Goodwill acquired	34.2	'
Impairment of Intangible assets	0	'
Increase in gross intangible assets	10.9	'
Acquisition of intangible assets	13.8	'
Number of acquisitions	2	0
Intangible asset adjustments related to currency fluctuations	3.3	'
Intangible asset adjustments related to other adjustments	0.4	'
Amortization expense	5.2	5
Future amortization expense, 2014	20.9	'
Future amortization expense, 2015	20.2	'
Future amortization expense, 2016	19.6	'
Future amortization expense, 2017	18.8	'
Future amortization expense, 2018	18.3	'
Value of infinite lived intangible trademarks and trade names related to Blagden Express, Closed-loop, Box Board and Fustiplast	22.4	'
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill acquired	$34.20	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Carrying Amount of Net Intangible Assets by Class (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Intangible Assets	$285.70	$274.80
Accumulated Amortization	98.2	94
Net Intangible Assets	187.5	180.8
Trademark and patents [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Intangible Assets	31.8	31.1
Accumulated Amortization	4.5	4.3
Net Intangible Assets	27.3	26.8
Non-compete agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Intangible Assets	14.6	14.6
Accumulated Amortization	12.8	12.6
Net Intangible Assets	1.8	2
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Intangible Assets	216	205.6
Accumulated Amortization	72.7	69.4
Net Intangible Assets	143.3	136.2
Other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Intangible Assets	23.3	23.5
Accumulated Amortization	8.2	7.7
Net Intangible Assets	$15.10	$15.80

Restructuring_Charges_Reconcil

Restructuring Charges - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Restructuring Reserve Balances (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	$3	'
Costs incurred and charged to expense	2.6	1.3
Costs paid or otherwise settled	-1.6	'
Ending balance	4	'
Employee separation costs [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	1.8	'
Costs incurred and charged to expense	2.4	'
Costs paid or otherwise settled	-1.3	'
Ending balance	2.9	'
Other restructuring costs [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	1.2	'
Costs paid or otherwise settled	-0.1	'
Ending balance	1.1	'
Asset impairments [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'
Costs incurred and charged to expense	0.2	'
Costs paid or otherwise settled	-0.2	'
Ending balance	'	'

Restructuring_Charges_Addition

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$2.60	$1.30	'
Amounts remaining to be incurred	9.7	'	6.6
Employee separation costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2.4	'	'
Asset Impairments [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$0.20	'	'

Restructuring_Charges_Reconcil1

Restructuring Charges - Reconciliation of Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred from Open Restructuring Plans Anticipated to be Realized (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amounts expected to be incurred	$12.30	'	'
Restructuring charges	2.6	1.3	'
Amounts remaining to be incurred	9.7	'	6.6
Employee separation costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2.4	'	'
Asset impairments [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0.2	'	'
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amounts expected to be incurred	10.5	'	'
Restructuring charges	2.5	'	'
Amounts remaining to be incurred	8	'	'
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] | Employee separation costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amounts expected to be incurred	5.8	'	'
Restructuring charges	2.3	'	'
Amounts remaining to be incurred	3.5	'	'
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] | Asset impairments [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amounts expected to be incurred	0.2	'	'
Restructuring charges	0.2	'	'
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] | Other restructuring costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amounts expected to be incurred	4.5	'	'
Amounts remaining to be incurred	4.5	'	'
Flexible Products & Services [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amounts expected to be incurred	1.8	'	'
Restructuring charges	0.1	'	'
Amounts remaining to be incurred	1.7	'	'
Flexible Products & Services [Member] | Employee separation costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amounts expected to be incurred	0.3	'	'
Restructuring charges	0.1	'	'
Amounts remaining to be incurred	0.2	'	'
Flexible Products & Services [Member] | Other restructuring costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amounts expected to be incurred	1.5	'	'
Amounts remaining to be incurred	$1.50	'	'

Variable_Interest_Entities_Add

Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 28, 2005

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

23-May-05

Apr. 30, 2006

Jan. 31, 2006

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

31-May-05

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Agreement

acre

Timberland Holdings [Member]

Timberland Holdings [Member]

STA Timber [Member]

STA Timber [Member]

STA Timber [Member]

Flexible Packaging JV [Member]

Flexible Packaging JV [Member]

Buyer SPE [Member]

Trading Co. [Member]

Asset Co. [Member]

Global Textile [Member]

Cooperage Receivables Finance BV [Member]

acre

acre

acre

Monetization Notes [Member]

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of purchase and sale agreements

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Approximate acres of timberland to be sold under agreement with Plum Creek Timberland

56,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Approximate value of sale agreement with Plum Creek Timberland

$90

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acres of timberland sold under the agreement

'

'

'

'

35,000

5,700

15,300

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Value of timberland sold under the agreement

'

'

'

'

51

9.7

29.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase notes payable

50.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum amount of guarantee on purchase notes

52.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pre-tax gain resulting from sale under agreement

'

'

'

'

42.1

9

27.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Secured Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5-Aug-20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Extended date

'

'

'

5-Nov-20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, principal outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

43.3

43.3

43.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage in Variable Interest Entity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

51.00%

49.00%

49.00%

0.00%

Restricted bank financial instruments under Buyer SPE

'

50.9

'

50.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income of Buyer SPE

'

0.6

0.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.6

0.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Committed capital contribution

'

150

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment to obtain third party financing

'

'Up to $150 million

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable interest entities outstanding advances

'

0.6

'

0.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short term loans payable to NSC

'

12.6

'

12.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

'

($1.10)

($1.30)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1.40

$0.70

'

'

'

'

'

Variable_Interest_Entities_Tot

Variable Interest Entities - Total Net Assets of Flexible Packaging JV (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Asset Co. [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$137.90	$155.50
Total liabilities	217.8	209.8
Net assets	-79.9	-54.3
Global Textile [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	55.8	44.9
Total liabilities	2.3	1.2
Net assets	53.5	43.7
Trading Co. [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	168	163.6
Total liabilities	56.8	57.3
Net assets	111.2	106.3
Flexible Packaging JV [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	361.7	364
Total liabilities	276.9	268.3
Net assets	$84.80	$95.70

LongTerm_Debt_Summary_of_LongT

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount of long-term debt	$1,358.30	$1,217.20
Less current portion	-12.5	-10
Long-term debt	1,345.80	1,207.20
Amended Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount of long-term debt	357.6	222.9
Less current portion	-12.5	'
Long-term debt	345.1	'
Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount of long-term debt	301.6	301.8
Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount of long-term debt	244.5	244.4
Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount of long-term debt	270.8	272.9
Amended Receivables Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount of long-term debt	151	140
Other Long-Term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount of long-term debt	$32.80	$35.20

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Dec. 19, 2012

Dec. 19, 2012

Oct. 29, 2010

Dec. 19, 2012

Oct. 29, 2010

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 29, 2010

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Feb. 09, 2007

Feb. 09, 2007

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 28, 2009

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 15, 2011

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Sep. 19, 2011

Jan. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Amended Credit Agreement [Member]

Amended Credit Agreement [Member]

Amended Credit Agreement [Member]

Multicurrency Credit Facility [Member]

Multicurrency Credit Facility [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

2010 Credit Agreement [Member]

2010 Credit Agreement [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]

Subordinated Debt [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

Other Long-Term Debt [Member]

Other Long-Term Debt [Member]

United States Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility [Member]

United States Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility [Member]

United States Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility [Member]

Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount borrowed under multi currency credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000

$800

$750

$200

$250

'

$1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$170

'

'

'

Option to borrow loan under senior secured credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250

'

'

'

'

'

250

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of term loan for first eight quarters

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.5

3.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of term loan for next eleven quarters

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

6.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date of credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

31-Dec-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

29-Oct-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30-Sep-16

'

19-Sep-14

Total borrowing capacity available in line of credit facility

614

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

(Decrease) in outstanding letter of credit

-15.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio, adjusted EBITDA

'

'

'

4

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest coverage ratio, adjusted EBITDA

'

'

'

3

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt extinguishment charge

0

1.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred financing cost associated with amended credit agreement

3.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying amount of long-term debt

1,358.30

'

1,217.20

'

'

357.6

222.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

301.6

301.8

'

'

244.5

244.4

'

270.8

272.9

'

32.8

35.2

'

'

'

'

Current portion of long-term debt

12.5

'

10

'

'

12.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

1,345.80

'

1,207.20

'

'

345.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate on the Amended Credit Agreement

'

'

'

'

'

1.76%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Actual interest rate on the Amended Credit Agreement

'

'

'

'

'

1.52%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300

'

'

'

250

'

'

200

'

'

'

'

135

'

Interest of senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.75%

8.88%

'

'

7.75%

'

'

7.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes due date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Feb-17

'

'

'

1-Aug-19

'

'

15-Jul-21

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest coverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

Decreased trade accounts receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

130

'

Outstanding other debt

127.1

'

99.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term borrowings

94.3

'

64.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of long-term debt in 2014

7.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of long-term debt in 2015

52.8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of long-term debt in 2016

171

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of long-term debt in 2017

321.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of long-term debt in 2018

290.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of long-term debt thereafter

515.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred financing fees and debt issuance costs

$12.60

'

$13.40

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair2

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013
				Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]	Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]	Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]	Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]
				Derivative
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Approximate reclassification of net loss from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	$0.50	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap agreements maturity year	'2014	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amount	'	'	'	150	129.5	137.6	'
Derivative number of instruments held	'	'	'	2	'	'	'
Weighted average of variable interest rate	0.17%	'	0.17%	'	'	'	'
Weighted average of fixed interest rate	0.75%	'	0.75%	'	'	'	'
Realized losses on interest rate derivatives related to statement of operations	0.2	0.2	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive losses on interest rate derivatives	0.5	'	0.6	'	'	'	'
(Gains) losses recorded under fair value contracts	2.1	-1.7	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring-related expenses on long lived assets	0.2	0.1	'	'	'	'	'
Recognized amount of impairment charges	0	0	'	'	'	'	'
Recognized amount of additional impairment related to net assets held for sale	'	'	'	'	'	'	$4.60

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair3

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	($0.90)	($1.60)
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	-0.7	-0.9
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign exchange hedges included in prepaid expenses and other current assets	0.7	0.3
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	-0.9	-1
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign exchange hedges included in prepaid expenses and other current assets	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	'	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	-0.9	-1.6
Level 2 [Member] | Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	-0.7	-0.9
Level 2 [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign exchange hedges included in prepaid expenses and other current assets	0.7	0.3
Level 2 [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	-0.9	-1
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign exchange hedges included in prepaid expenses and other current assets	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Fair Value	'	'

Finacial_Instruments_And_Fair_

Finacial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements - Senior Notes Estimated Fair Value Compared to Carrying Amount (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Carrying Values And Estimated Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount	$1,358.30	$1,217.20
Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Carrying Values And Estimated Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated fair value	332.4	334.5
Carrying amount	301.6	301.8
Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Carrying Values And Estimated Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated fair value	282.6	289.9
Carrying amount	244.5	244.4
Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Carrying Values And Estimated Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated fair value	321.9	317.9
Carrying amount	$270.80	$272.90

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Stock options granted	0	0

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income tax expense	$16.50	$13.20	$13.20
Effective tax rate	35.10%	34.70%	'
Net decrease in unrecognized tax benefits for the next 12 months, Minimum	0	'	'
Net decrease in unrecognized tax benefits for the next 12 months, Maximum	$22	'	'

Retirement_Plans_and_Postretir2

Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail) (Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	$3.90	$4.20
Interest cost	7.4	6.9
Expected return on plan assets	-8.5	-8.1
Amortization of prior service cost, initial net asset and net actuarial gain	2.7	4.2
Net periodic pension costs	$5.50	$7.20

Retirement_Plans_and_Postretir3

Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Company's pension contributions	$3.30
Company's estimated pension contributions	$13.20

Retirement_Plans_and_Postretir4

Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Cost for Postretirement Benefits (Detail) (Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	'	'
Interest cost	0.2	0.2
Amortization of prior service cost and recognized actuarial gain	-0.4	-0.4
Net periodic benefit for postretirement benefits	($0.20)	($0.20)

Contingent_Liabilities_Additio

Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Environmental liability reserves	$26.50	$26.80
Blending Facility in Chicago and Illinois [Member]	'	'
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Environmental liability reserves	13.8	13.8
European Drum Facilities [Member]	'	'
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Environmental liability reserves	7.5	7.7
Life Cycle Management and Recycling Facilities [Member]	'	'
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Environmental liability reserves	2.3	2.3
Other Facilities [Member]	'	'
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Environmental liability reserves	$2.90	$3

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of shares authorized to be purchased	4,000,000	'	4,000,000
Total cost of the shares repurchased	'	'	$0.10
Shares repurchased of common stock	3,184,272	'	3,184,272
Antidilutive stock option	0	0	'
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Calculation of EPS	'(i) multiply 40 percent times the average Class A shares outstanding, then divide that amount by the product of 40 percent of the average Class A shares outstanding plus 60 percent of the average Class B shares outstanding to get a percentage, (ii) undistributed net income divided by the average Class A shares outstanding, (iii) multiply item (i) by item (ii), (iv) add item (iii) to the Class A cash dividend. Diluted shares are factored into the Class A calculation.	'	'
Percentage of shares outstanding used in two class method calculation	40.00%	'	'
Cumulative dividends per share	0.01	'	'
Common stock dividend per share	0.01	'	'
Cumulative dividend period in arrear for voting right	4	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	'
Shares repurchased of common stock	1,425,452	'	1,425,452
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Calculation of EPS	'(i) multiply 60 percent times the average Class B shares outstanding, then divide that amount by the product of 40 percent of the average Class A shares outstanding plus 60 percent of the average Class B shares outstanding to get a percentage, (ii) undistributed net income divided by the average Class B shares outstanding, (iii) multiply item (i) by item (ii), (iv) add item (iii) to the Class B cash dividend. Class B diluted EPS is identical to Class B basic EPS.	'	'
Percentage of shares outstanding used in two class method calculation	60.00%	'	'
Non-Cumulative dividends per share	0.005	'	'
Common stock dividend per share	0.015	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	'
Shares repurchased of common stock	1,758,820	'	1,758,820

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS	'	'
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$29.50	$23.60
Cash dividends	24.4	24.4
Undistributed net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$5.10	($0.80)
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Denominator for basic EPS	'	'
Denominator for basic EPS	25,470,354	25,316,395
Denominator for diluted EPS	'	'
Denominator for diluted EPS	25,495,347	25,379,747
EPS Basic	'	'
EPS Basic	$0.51	$0.41
EPS Diluted	'	'
EPS Diluted	$0.51	$0.41
Dividends per share	'	'
Dividends per share	$0.42	$0.42
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Denominator for basic EPS	'	'
Denominator for basic EPS	22,119,966	22,119,966
Denominator for diluted EPS	'	'
Denominator for diluted EPS	22,119,966	22,119,966
EPS Basic	'	'
EPS Basic	$0.75	$0.60
EPS Diluted	'	'
EPS Diluted	$0.75	$0.60
Dividends per share	'	'
Dividends per share	$0.62	$0.62

Earnings_Per_Share_Summarizati

Earnings Per Share - Summarization of Company's Class A and Class B Common and Treasury Shares (Detail)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'
Authorized Shares	128,000,000	128,000,000
Issued Shares	42,281,920	42,281,920
Outstanding Shares	25,517,398	25,456,724
Treasury Shares	16,764,522	16,825,196
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'
Authorized Shares	69,120,000	69,120,000
Issued Shares	34,560,000	34,560,000
Outstanding Shares	22,119,966	22,119,966
Treasury Shares	12,440,034	12,440,034

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Shares Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'
Basic shares	25,470,354	25,316,395
Assumed conversion of stock options	24,993	63,352
Diluted shares	25,495,347	25,379,747
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'
Basic shares	22,119,966	22,119,966
Diluted shares	22,119,966	22,119,966
Basic and diluted shares	22,119,966	22,119,966

Equity_Earnings_of_Unconsolida1

Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates, Net of Tax and Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
	Affiliates
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'
Number of affiliates in which company has equity interest	4	'
Equity earnings of affiliates	$0.10	$0.10
Dividends received from company's equity method affiliates	0.2	0
Principal balance of loan made to an entity deemed VIE	22.2	'
Outstanding amount of loan	13.9	'
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$1.10	$1.30
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of investments in affiliates in which company have non controlling interest	20.00%	'

Shareholders_Equity_and_Compre2

Shareholders Equity and Comprehensive Income - Summary of Changes in Shareholders Equity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Beginning Balance	$1,398	'
Net income	30.6	24.9
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-33.1	'
Reclassification of cash flow hedges to earnings, net of income tax benefit	0.2	0.1
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of immaterial income tax expense	-0.1	'
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income tax benefit	-0.3	-0.4
Comprehensive income (loss)	-2.7	40.6
Noncontrolling interests and other	0.7	'
Dividends paid	24.4	24.4
Stock options exercised	0.1	'
Long-term incentive shares issued	2.9	'
Ending Balance	1,374.60	'
Capital Stock [Member]	'	'
Beginning Balance	129.4	'
Beginning Balance, Shares	47,577	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Stock options exercised	0.1	'
Stock options exercised, Shares	4	'
Long-term incentive shares issued	2.8	'
Long-term incentive shares issued, Shares	56	'
Ending Balance	132.3	'
Ending Balance, Shares	47,637	'
Treasury Stock [Member]	'	'
Beginning Balance	-131	'
Beginning Balance, Shares	29,265	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Stock options exercised, Shares	-4	'
Long-term incentive shares issued	0.1	'
Long-term incentive shares issued, Shares	-56	'
Ending Balance	-130.9	'
Ending Balance, Shares	29,205	'
Retained Earnings [Member]	'	'
Beginning Balance	1,443.80	'
Net income	29.5	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Dividends paid	24.4	'
Ending Balance	1,448.90	'
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	'	'
Beginning Balance	114.8	'
Net income	1.1	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-0.6	'
Noncontrolling interests and other	0.7	'
Ending Balance	116	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'
Beginning Balance	-159	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-32.5	'
Reclassification of cash flow hedges to earnings, net of income tax benefit	0.2	'
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of immaterial income tax expense	-0.1	'
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income tax benefit	-0.3	'
Ending Balance	($191.70)	'

Shareholders_Equity_and_Compre3

Shareholders Equity and Comprehensive Income - Summary of Changes in Shareholders Equity (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]	'
Income tax benefit, Reclassification of cash flow hedges to earnings	$0.10
Income tax benefit, minimum pension liability adjustment	$0.10

Shareholders_Equity_and_Compre4

Shareholders Equity and Comprehensive Income - Rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	($159)	($196)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	-32.9	11.3
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	0.2	0.1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-33.3	15.7
Ending Balance	-191.7	-184.6
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	-63.3	-69.1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	-32.5	11.6
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-32.5	11.6
Ending Balance	-95.8	-57.5
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	-0.6	-0.9
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	-0.1	0.1
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	0.2	0.1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0.1	0.2
Ending Balance	-0.5	-0.7
Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	-95.1	-126
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	-0.3	-0.4
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-0.3	-0.4
Ending Balance	($95.40)	($126.40)

Shareholders_Equity_and_Compre5

Shareholders Equity and Comprehensive Income - Significant Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Other expense, net	($4.60)	($3.10)
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Other expense, net	0.2	0.1
Net Income	$0.20	$0.10

Business_Segment_Information_A

Business Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
	acre
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of operating segment	5
Number of reportable business segment	4
Measurement area of timber properties in the south eastern United States which are actively managed in acres	246,400
Measurement area of timber properties in Canada which are not actively managed in acres	10,300

Business_Segment_Information_S

Business Segment Information - Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Net sales	'	'
Total net sales	$1,034.40	$1,008.60
Operating profit:	'	'
Total operating profit	72	64
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:	'	'
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	39.1	39.5
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]	'	'
Net sales	'	'
Total net sales	712.3	704.4
Operating profit:	'	'
Total operating profit	29.5	31.5
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:	'	'
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	27.4	26.9
Paper Packaging [Member]	'	'
Net sales	'	'
Total net sales	202.7	184.2
Operating profit:	'	'
Total operating profit	30	27.7
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:	'	'
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	7.2	8
Flexible Products & Services [Member]	'	'
Net sales	'	'
Total net sales	113.2	111.4
Operating profit:	'	'
Total operating profit	0.8	0.6
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:	'	'
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	3.7	3.5
Land Management [Member]	'	'
Net sales	'	'
Total net sales	6.2	8.6
Operating profit:	'	'
Total operating profit	11.7	4.2
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:	'	'
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	$0.80	$1.10

Business_Segment_Information_N

Business Segment Information - Net Sales to External Customers by Geographical Area (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Net sales:	'	'
Total net sales	$1,034.40	$1,008.60
North America [Member]	'	'
Net sales:	'	'
Total net sales	500.4	476.1
Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]	'	'
Net sales:	'	'
Total net sales	375	370.6
Asia Pacific and Latin America [Member]	'	'
Net sales:	'	'
Total net sales	$159	$161.90

Business_Segment_Information_T1

Business Segment Information - Total Assets by Segments (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	$3,932.30	$3,882.20
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	3,519.20	3,502.90
Corporate and other [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	413.1	379.3
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	2,453.10	2,441.60
Paper Packaging [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	416.7	413.3
Flexible Products & Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	363.2	367.3
Land Management [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	$286.20	$280.70

Business_Segment_Information_T2

Business Segment Information - Total Assets by Geographical Area (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	$3,932.30	$3,882.20
North America [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	1,883.50	1,818.20
Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	1,518.10	1,517.40
Asia Pacific and Latin America [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	$530.70	$546.60