CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 43.0	$ 39.2	$ 69.2	$ 62.0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(20.3)	0.3	(4.4)	(7.1)
Reclassification of cash flow hedges to earnings, net of tax	0.3	0.9	0.2	0.6
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax	(0.4)	(1.1)	(0.1)	(1.0)
Minimum pension liabilities, net of tax	1.2	(0.6)	0.8	3.8
Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax	(19.2)	(0.5)	(3.5)	(3.7)
Comprehensive income	23.8	38.7	65.7	58.3
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0.7	(1.7)	6.3	3.4
Comprehensive income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 23.1	$ 40.4	$ 59.4	$ 54.9

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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