SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net sales	$ 53,317	$ 68,698	$ 18,420	$ 38,351	$ 54,135	$ 60,772	$ 16,389	$ 32,730	$ 178,786	$ 164,026	$ 159,669
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									65,770	61,847	61,892
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									1,840	(4,579)	13,020
Net (loss) income attributable to AgroFresh Solutions, Inc	$ (1,916)	$ 2,954	$ (18,402)	$ (12,876)	$ 23,438	$ 9,546	$ 2,607	$ (12,029)	(30,060)	23,471	(111,560)
Parent Company
Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net sales									0	0	0
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									0	27	27
Income (loss) in earnings of subsidiaries									(33,219)	10,005	(93,132)
Income (loss) before income taxes									(33,219)	9,978	(93,159)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									(2,979)	(13,584)	18,401
Net (loss) income attributable to AgroFresh Solutions, Inc									$ (30,240)	$ 23,562	$ (111,560)