XML 87 R123.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Correction of Errors and Restatement - Summary of Previously Stated and Corrected Balances of Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Oct. 31, 2014
Oct. 31, 2013
Oct. 31, 2012
Oct. 31, 2011
Current assets        
Inventories $ 381.1us-gaap_InventoryNet $ 374.4us-gaap_InventoryNet    
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance 501.3us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent 481.9us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent    
Deferred tax assets 29.0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent 29.8us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 129.7us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent 131.8us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent    
Total current assets 1,154.7us-gaap_AssetsCurrent 1,100.3us-gaap_AssetsCurrent    
Long-term assets        
Goodwill 880.2us-gaap_Goodwill 998.4us-gaap_Goodwill 971.0us-gaap_Goodwill  
Other intangible assets, net of amortization 166.5us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet 185.2us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet    
Total long-term assets 1,219.7gef_AssetsNonCurrentExcludingPropertiesPlantAndEquipment 1,389.2gef_AssetsNonCurrentExcludingPropertiesPlantAndEquipment    
Properties, plants and equipment        
Machinery and equipment 1,500.8us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross 1,522.6us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross    
Total properties, plants and equipment, net 1,293.0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet 1,397.2us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet    
Total assets 3,667.4us-gaap_Assets 3,886.7us-gaap_Assets    
Current liabilities        
Other current liabilities 189.1us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent 186.5us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent    
Total current liabilities 851.7us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent 809.4us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent    
Long-term liabilities        
Deferred tax liabilities 219.0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent 246.4us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent    
Other long-term liabilities 89.5us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent 99.5us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent    
Total long-term liabilities 1,592.5us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent 1,697.4us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent    
Shareholders' equity        
Retained earnings 1,411.7us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit 1,418.8us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit    
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (274.4)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (152.6)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (191.7)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax  
Total Greif, Inc. shareholders' equity 1,142.1us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 1,264.6us-gaap_StockholdersEquity    
Noncontrolling interests 81.1us-gaap_MinorityInterest 115.3us-gaap_MinorityInterest    
Shareholders' Equity 1,223.2us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 1,379.9us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 1,291.9us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 1,321.4us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 3,667.4us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity 3,886.7us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity    
As Reported [Member]        
Current assets        
Inventories   375.3us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
   
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance     453.8us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Deferred tax assets   22.2us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
18.9us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   132.2us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
114.8us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Total current assets   1,094.0us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,055.3us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Long-term assets        
Goodwill   1,003.5us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
976.1us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Other intangible assets, net of amortization   180.8us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
198.6us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Total long-term assets   1,389.9gef_AssetsNonCurrentExcludingPropertiesPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,373.2gef_AssetsNonCurrentExcludingPropertiesPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Properties, plants and equipment        
Machinery and equipment   1,523.7us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,472.6us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Total properties, plants and equipment, net   1,398.3us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,424.9us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Total assets   3,882.2us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
3,853.4us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Current liabilities        
Other current liabilities   178.8us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
187.9us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Total current liabilities   801.7us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
867.3us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Long-term liabilities        
Deferred tax liabilities   238.1us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
197.0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Other long-term liabilities   92.9us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
117.0us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Total long-term liabilities   1,682.5us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,675.3us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Shareholders' equity        
Retained earnings   1,443.8us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,394.8us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,370.1us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)   (159.0)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
(196.0)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
(143.6)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Total Greif, Inc. shareholders' equity   1,283.2us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,191.2us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Noncontrolling interests   114.8us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
119.6us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
127.9us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Shareholders' Equity   1,398.0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,310.8us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,336.2us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   3,882.2us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
3,853.4us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
 
Adjustments [Member]        
Current assets        
Inventories   (0.9)us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
   
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance     (0.2)us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Deferred tax assets   7.6us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
6.6us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (0.4)us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(0.5)us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Total current assets   6.3us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
5.9us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Long-term assets        
Goodwill   (5.1)us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(5.1)us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Other intangible assets, net of amortization   4.4us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
5.2us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Total long-term assets   (0.7)gef_AssetsNonCurrentExcludingPropertiesPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
0.1gef_AssetsNonCurrentExcludingPropertiesPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Properties, plants and equipment        
Machinery and equipment   (1.1)us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(3.5)us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Total properties, plants and equipment, net   (1.1)us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(3.5)us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Total assets   4.5us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
2.5us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Current liabilities        
Other current liabilities   7.7us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
8.5us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Total current liabilities   7.7us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
8.5us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Long-term liabilities        
Deferred tax liabilities   8.3us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
7.8us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Other long-term liabilities   6.6us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
5.1us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Total long-term liabilities   14.9us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
12.9us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Shareholders' equity        
Retained earnings   (25.0)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(22.6)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(18.5)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)   6.4us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
4.3us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
4.3us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Total Greif, Inc. shareholders' equity   (18.6)us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(18.3)us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Noncontrolling interests   0.5us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(0.6)us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(0.6)us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Shareholders' Equity   (18.1)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(18.9)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(14.8)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   4.5us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
2.5us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
As Adjusted [Member]        
Current assets        
Inventories   374.4us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
   
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance     453.6us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Deferred tax assets   29.8us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
25.5us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   131.8us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
114.3us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Total current assets   1,100.3us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,061.2us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Long-term assets        
Goodwill   998.4us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
971.0us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Other intangible assets, net of amortization   185.2us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
203.8us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Total long-term assets   1,389.2gef_AssetsNonCurrentExcludingPropertiesPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,373.3gef_AssetsNonCurrentExcludingPropertiesPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Properties, plants and equipment        
Machinery and equipment   1,522.6us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,469.1us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Total properties, plants and equipment, net   1,397.2us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,421.4us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Total assets   3,886.7us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
3,855.9us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Current liabilities        
Other current liabilities   186.5us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
196.4us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Total current liabilities   809.4us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
875.8us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Long-term liabilities        
Deferred tax liabilities   246.4us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
204.8us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Other long-term liabilities   99.5us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
122.1us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Total long-term liabilities   1,697.4us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,688.2us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Shareholders' equity        
Retained earnings   1,418.8us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,372.2us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,351.6us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)   (152.6)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
(191.7)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
(139.3)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
Total Greif, Inc. shareholders' equity   1,264.6us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,172.9us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
 
Noncontrolling interests   115.3us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
119.0us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
127.3us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
Shareholders' Equity   1,379.9us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,291.9us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
1,321.4us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 3,886.7us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember
$ 3,855.9us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioActualMember