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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		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	$ 26.8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1		$ 26.8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
Restructuring charges	7.3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	3.9us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	10.5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	6.3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Amounts remaining to be incurred	16.3us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1		16.3us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1		9.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1
Employee Separation Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	5.0us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember		7.7us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	2.3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember		2.8us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	23.6us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember		23.6us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges			8.8us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	14.8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember		14.8us-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	15.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember		15.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges			7.2us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	8.0us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember		8.0us-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	8.4us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember		8.4us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges			1.6us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	6.8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember		6.8us-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	2.7us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember		2.7us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges			1.2us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	1.5us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember		1.5us-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	0.5us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember		0.5us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges			0.3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	0.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember		0.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / 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		2.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Restructuring charges			0.9us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Amounts remaining to be incurred	1.3us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember		1.3us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember
Paper Packaging [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	0.5us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_PaperPackagingMember		0.5us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_PaperPackagingMember
Restructuring charges			0.5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_PaperPackagingMember
Paper Packaging [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_PaperPackagingMember		0.2us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_PaperPackagingMember
Restructuring charges			0.2us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_PaperPackagingMember
Paper Packaging [Member] | Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract]
Amounts expected to be incurred	0.3us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_PaperPackagingMember		0.3us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_PaperPackagingMember
Restructuring charges			$ 0.3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = gef_PaperPackagingMember

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

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

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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

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-Section 45

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