XML 78 R49.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Variable Interest Entities - Total Net Assets of Flexible Packaging JV (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Jan. 31, 2013 | Oct. 31, 2012
--- | --- | ---
Asset Company [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | $ 157.8 | $ 151.0
Total liabilities | 82.7 | 73.9
Net assets | 75.1 | 77.1
Global Textile [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 54.4 | 47.6
Total liabilities | 1.7 | 0.5
Net assets | 52.7 | 47.1
Trading Company [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 146.1 | 138.7
Total liabilities | 47.8 | 46.4
Net assets | 98.3 | 92.3
Flexible Packaging JV [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 358.3 | 337.3
Total liabilities | 132.2 | 120.8
Net assets | $ 226.1 | $ 216.5

X
- Definition Variable interest entities carrying amount of collateralized assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_VariableInterestEntitiesCarryingAmountOfCollateralizedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Variable interest entities carrying amount of liabilities consolidated vie. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_VariableInterestEntitiesCarryingAmountOfLiabilitiesConsolidatedVie
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Variable interest entity carrying amount of assets liabilities net consolidated vie. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_VariableInterestEntityCarryingAmountOfAssetsLiabilitiesNetConsolidatedVie
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration