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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2014
Segment
Oct. 31, 2013
Oct. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill adjustments $ (118.2)us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease $ 27.4us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease  
Goodwill impairment charge 50.3us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss 0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss 0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Number of operating segments 5us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments    
Decrease in gross intangible assets 15.4gef_GrossIntangibleAssetsPeriodIncreaseDecrease    
Decrease in gross intangible assets, additional 14.4gef_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAdditional    
Acquisition of intangible assets 14.8us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1    
Amortization expense 22.0us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets 21.2us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets 21.1us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Future amortization expense, 2015 20.7us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRemainderOfFiscalYear    
Future amortization expense, 2016 19.8us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo    
Future amortization expense, 2017 19.0us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree    
Future amortization expense, 2018 18.5us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour    
Future amortization expense, 2019 18.4us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive    
Value of infinite lived intangible trademarks and trade names related to Blagden Express, Closed-loop, Box Board and Fustiplast 13.8us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill    
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]      
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Number of operating segments 2us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
   
Impairment charges related to intangible assets   0.4us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
 
Flexible Products & Services [Member]      
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill impairment charge $ 50.3us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember