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Restructuring Charges - Reconciliation of Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred from Open Restructuring Plans Anticipated to be Realized (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	$ 11.8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
Restructuring charges	3.2us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	2.4us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Amounts remaining to be incurred	8.6us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1		9.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1
Employee Separation Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	2.7us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	0.5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	9.4us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges	2.5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	6.9us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] | Employee Separation Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	4.8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges	2.5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	2.3us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] | Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	4.6us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	4.6us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Flexible Products & Services [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	2.4us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges	0.7us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	1.7us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Flexible Products & Services [Member] | Employee Separation Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	0.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges	0.2us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Flexible Products & Services [Member] | Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	2.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges	0.5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	$ 1.7us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember

X

- Definition

Amount expected to be recognized in earnings for the specified restructuring cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

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- Definition

Amount of expected cost remaining for the specified restructuring cost.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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