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Business Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) | 6 Months Ended
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Apr. 30, 2013 acre
Segment Reporting [Abstract] |
Measurement area of timber properties in the south eastern United States which are actively managed in acres | 269,550
Measurement area of timber properties in Canada which are not actively managed in acres | 11,850

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- Definition Measurement area of timber properties which are actively managed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_MeasurementAreaOfTimberPropertiesWhichAreActivelyManaged
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | num:areaItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Measurement area of timber properties which are not actively managed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_MeasurementAreaOfTimberPropertiesWhichAreNotActivelyManaged
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | num:areaItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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