Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 653,073	$ 453,415
Cost of goods sold	642,504	454,638
Gross profit (loss)	10,569	(1,223)
General and administrative expenses:
Compensation expense	7,237	6,830
Other	3,567	5,565
Operating loss	(235)	(13,618)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(10,126)	(11,605)
Loss before income taxes	(10,361)	(25,223)
Income tax provision (benefit)	0	0
Net loss	(10,361)	(25,223)
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1,644	5,240
Net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp. common stockholders	$ (8,717)	$ (19,983)
Loss per share - basic and diluted attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp. common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.79)
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic and diluted (in shares)	94,687	25,421