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Acquisition and Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2015
Apr. 30, 2014
Apr. 30, 2015
Company
Divestiture
Apr. 30, 2014
Acquisition
Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]        
Number of acquisitions completed     0us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
Number of divestitures     7gef_NumberOfDivestitures  
(Gain) loss on disposal of businesses $ (10.4)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1 $ 1.2us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1 $ (9.6)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1 $ (0.6)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1
Proceeds from divestitures     12.5us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses  
Notes receivables related to sale of business $ 7.4us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration   $ 7.4us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration  
Terms related to sale of business     Up to five years  
Number of rigid industrial packaging and services companies acquired       1gef_NumberOfRigidIndustrialPackagingCompaniesAcquired
Number of paper packaging and services companies acquired       1gef_NumberOfPaperPackagingCompaniesAcquired
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]        
Business Acquisition [Line Items]        
Number of divestitures     5gef_NumberOfDivestitures
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
 
Flexible Products & Services [Member]        
Business Acquisition [Line Items]        
Number of divestitures     2gef_NumberOfDivestitures
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gef_FlexibleProductsAndServicesMember