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Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - Total Net Assets of Flexible Packaging JV (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Apr. 30, 2015
Oct. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Total assets $ 50.9us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets $ 50.9us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
Total liabilities 43.3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities 43.3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
Asset Co. [Member]    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Total assets 101.0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_AssetCompanyMember
113.6us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_AssetCompanyMember
Total liabilities 114.3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_AssetCompanyMember
102.7us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_AssetCompanyMember
Net assets (13.3)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_AssetCompanyMember
10.9us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_AssetCompanyMember
Global Textile [Member]    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Total assets 17.6us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_GlobalTextileMember
21.6us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_GlobalTextileMember
Total liabilities 18.0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_GlobalTextileMember
42.8us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_GlobalTextileMember
Net assets (0.4)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_GlobalTextileMember
(21.2)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_GlobalTextileMember
Trading Co. [Member]    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Total assets 106.9us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_TradingCompanyMember
126.4us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_TradingCompanyMember
Total liabilities 53.4us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_TradingCompanyMember
51.8us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_TradingCompanyMember
Net assets 53.5us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_TradingCompanyMember
74.6us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gef_TradingCompanyMember
Flexible Packaging JV [Member]    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Total assets 225.5us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
261.6us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
Total liabilities 185.7us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
197.3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
Net assets $ 39.8us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
$ 64.3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember