Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 501	$ 518
Current liabilities:
Redeemable common stock shares outstanding (in shares)	37,620	0
Equity attributable to RiceBran Technologies shareholders:
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	6,000,000	2,500,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	2,832,014	1,038,080
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	2,832,014	1,038,080
Variable Interest Entity [Member]
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, variable interest entity restricted	1,967	2,505
Variable interest entity restricted portion of property, net	4,969	5,757
Current liabilities:
Nonrecourse portion of current maturities of long-term debt (variable interest entity)	6,262	7,013
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, less current portion variable interest entity nonrecourse	$ 6,658	$ 7,454