Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues
Revenues	$ 2,827,168	$ 1,923,719	$ 2,417,238
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization expenses reflected below)	2,625,109	1,812,163	2,384,947
Operations and maintenance expenses	23,061	26,125	25,657
Selling, general and administrative expenses	91,139	84,932	77,077
Loss (gain) on sale of assets, net	(29,601)	20,860
Goodwill impairment		24,091
Depreciation and amortization expenses	91,952	78,244	72,127
Total costs and expenses	2,801,660	2,046,415	2,559,808
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	25,508	(122,696)	(142,570)
Other income (expense)
Interest income	575	659	4,333
Interest expense	(67,144)	(39,993)	(40,200)
Other, net	(1,940)	900	5,495
Total other expense	(68,509)	(38,434)	(30,372)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investees	(43,001)	(161,130)	(172,942)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(1,845)	50,383	21,316
Income from equity method investees, net of income taxes	700	21,093	2,797
Net loss from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest	(44,146)	(89,654)	(148,829)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes			829
Net loss	(44,146)	(89,654)	(148,000)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	21,846	19,121	18,860
Net loss attributable to Green Plains	$ (65,992)	$ (108,775)	$ (166,860)
Earnings (loss) per share - basic and diluted
Net loss from continuing operations	$ (1.41)	$ (3.14)	$ (4.40)
Net income from discontinued operations			0.02
Net loss attributable to Green Plains	$ (1.41)	$ (3.14)	$ (4.38)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	46,652	34,631	38,111
Product [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	$ 2,806,629	$ 1,918,884	$ 2,410,382
Service [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	$ 20,539	$ 4,835	$ 6,856