XML 86 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012
Apr. 30, 2012
Dec. 14, 2012
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Apr. 30, 2012
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Dec. 14, 2012
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Apr. 30, 2012
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]            
Document Type 10-K          
Amendment Flag false          
Document Period End Date Oct. 31, 2012          
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2012          
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY          
Trading Symbol GEF          
Entity Registrant Name GREIF INC          
Entity Central Index Key 0000043920          
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31          
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes          
Entity Current Reporting Status No          
Entity Voluntary Filers Yes          
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer          
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding     25,338,098   22,119,966  
Entity Public Float   $ 1,601,577,983   $ 1,299,196,848   $ 302,381,135