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Restructuring Charges - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Restructuring Reserve Balances (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Jan. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Beginning balance $ 4.1us-gaap_RestructuringReserve  
Costs incurred and charged to expense 3.2us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 2.4us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Costs paid or otherwise settled (1.6)gef_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashOrOtherwiseSettled  
Ending balance 5.7us-gaap_RestructuringReserve  
Employee Separation Costs [Member]    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Beginning balance 2.9us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
 
Costs incurred and charged to expense 2.7us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
 
Costs paid or otherwise settled (0.8)gef_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashOrOtherwiseSettled
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
 
Ending balance 4.8us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
 
Other Restructuring Costs [Member]    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Beginning balance 1.2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
 
Costs incurred and charged to expense 0.5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
 
Costs paid or otherwise settled (0.8)gef_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashOrOtherwiseSettled
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
 
Ending balance $ 0.9us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember