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Restructuring Charges - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Restructuring Reserve Balances (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2015
Apr. 30, 2014
Apr. 30, 2015
Apr. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Beginning balance     $ 4.1us-gaap_RestructuringReserve  
Costs incurred and charged to expense 7.3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 3.9us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 10.5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 6.3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Costs paid or otherwise settled     (4.8)gef_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashOrOtherwiseSettled  
Ending balance 9.8us-gaap_RestructuringReserve   9.8us-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 5.0us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
  7.7us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
 
Costs paid or otherwise settled     (3.2)gef_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashOrOtherwiseSettled
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
 
Ending balance 7.4us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
  7.4us-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 2.3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
  2.8us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
 
Costs paid or otherwise settled     (1.6)gef_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashOrOtherwiseSettled
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
 
Ending balance $ 2.4us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
  $ 2.4us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember