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Post Retirement Benefit Plans - Fair Value Measurements for Pension Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Oct. 31, 2014 | Oct. 31, 2013 | Oct. 31, 2012
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Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | $ 650.8 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets | $ 621.2 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets | $ 599.1 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
Mutual Funds [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 303.4 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember | 329.4 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember |
Equity Securities [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 31.0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember | 33.8 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 13.7 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | 15.9 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Money Market Fund [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 0.2 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember |  |
Common Collective Trusts [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 132.5 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_CommonCollectiveTrustsMember | 121.5 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_CommonCollectiveTrustsMember |
Government Bonds [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 15.6 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember | 21.8 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember |
Corporate Bonds [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 3.1 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember | 2.2 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember |
Other Assets [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 0.2 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_OtherPlanAssetsMember |  |
Insurance Annuity [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 151.1 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_InsuranceAnnuityMember | 96.6 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_InsuranceAnnuityMember |
Level 1 [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 187.9 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member | 233.4 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 143.0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member | 183.7 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 31.0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member | 33.8 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 13.7 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member | 15.9 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Fund [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 0.2 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |
Level 2 [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 311.8 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member | 291.2 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 160.4 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member | 145.7 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 132.5 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_CommonCollectiveTrustsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member | 121.5 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_CommonCollectiveTrustsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Government Bonds [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 15.6 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member | 21.8 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 3.1 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member | 2.2 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Other Assets [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 0.2 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_OtherPlanAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |
Level 3 [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | 151.1 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 96.6 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 87.1 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Insurance Annuity [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | $ 151.1 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_InsuranceAnnuityMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | $ 96.6 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = gef_InsuranceAnnuityMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |

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- Definition Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29635418&loc=d3e12355-114930 + Details
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