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Post Retirement Benefit Plans - Number of Participants in Defined Benefit Plans (Detail) | 12 Months Ended
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Oct. 31, 2014 Participant | Oct. 31, 2013 Participant
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |
Active participants | 2,131 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans | 2,244 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans
Vested former employees | 2,149 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans | 2,184 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans
Retirees and beneficiaries | 4,131 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans | 4,147 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans
Other plan participants | 30 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans | 35 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans
USA [Member] |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |
Active participants | 1,772 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 1,880 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Vested former employees | 1,431 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 1,452 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Retirees and beneficiaries | 2,372 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 2,320 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Other plan participants | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits [Member] |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |
Active participants | 25 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember | 26 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember
Vested former employees | 0 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember | 0 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember
Retirees and beneficiaries | 779 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember | 894 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember
Other plan participants | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember
Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits [Member] | USA [Member] |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |
Active participants | 12 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember | 12 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember
Vested former employees | 0 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember | 0 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember
Retirees and beneficiaries | 683 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember | 793 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember
Other plan participants | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember
UNITED KINGDOM | Non-United States [Member] |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |
Active participants | 112 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB | 122 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB
Vested former employees | 60 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB | 64 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB
Retirees and beneficiaries | 256 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB | 250 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB
Other plan participants | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB
Germany [Member] | Non-United States [Member] |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |
Active participants | 133 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 133 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE
Vested former employees | 399 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 399 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE
Retirees and beneficiaries | 718 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 718 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE
Other plan participants | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE
Netherlands [Member] | Non-United States [Member] |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |
Active participants | 66 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 48 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL
Vested former employees | 238 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 249 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL
Retirees and beneficiaries | 728 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 804 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL
Other plan participants | 30 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 35 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL
Other International [Member] | Non-United States [Member] |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |
Active participants | 48 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_OtherInternationalMember | 61 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_OtherInternationalMember
Vested former employees | 21 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_OtherInternationalMember | 20 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_OtherInternationalMember
Retirees and beneficiaries | 57 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_OtherInternationalMember | 55 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_OtherInternationalMember
Other plan participants | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_OtherInternationalMember | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_OtherInternationalMember
South Africa [Member] | Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits [Member] | Non-United States [Member] |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |
Active participants | 13 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_ZA | 14 gef_ActiveParticipantsInNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_ZA
Vested former employees | 0 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_ZA | 0 gef_VestedFormerEmployeesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_ZA
Retirees and beneficiaries | 96 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_ZA | 101 gef_RetireesAndBeneficiariesNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_ZA
Other plan participants | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_ZA | 0 gef_OtherPlanParticipantsNumerousDefinedBenefitPensionPlans / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = gef_PostretirementHealthCareAndLifeInsuranceBenefitsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_ZA

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- Definition Active participants in numerous defined benefit pension plans. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Vested former employees numerous defined benefit pension plans. + References No definition available. + Details
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