Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - Total Net Assets of Flexible Packaging JV (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 50.9	$ 50.9
Total liabilities	43.3	43.3
Asset Co. [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	113.0	113.6
Total liabilities	95.8	102.7
Net assets	17.2	10.9
Global Textile [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	14.5	21.6
Total liabilities	42.5	42.8
Net assets	(28.0)	(21.2)
Trading Co. [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	116.3	126.4
Total liabilities	53.6	51.8
Net assets	62.7	74.6
Flexible Packaging JV [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	243.8	261.6
Total liabilities	191.9	197.3
Net assets	$ 51.9	$ 64.3

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (bb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5710-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets and liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=gef_AssetCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=gef_GlobalTextileMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=gef_TradingCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: