Correction of Prior Period Errors - Balance Sheet Quarter Ended (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Deferred income tax liabilities	$ 37,834	$ 35,577	$ 4,320	$ 7,799	$ 9,217
Total Liabilities	361,216	357,810	454,808	459,248	464,305
Redeemable non-controlling interest	8,446	8,049	7,734	7,604	7,701	$ 7,927	$ 8,205	$ 8,297	$ 8,263
Additional paid-in capital	552,776	557,716	562,072	561,298	560,890
Accumulated deficit	(244,836)	(241,710)	(212,466)	(195,912)	(192,264)
Total AgroFresh Stockholders' Equity	272,393	270,962	304,895	320,324	333,686
Non-controlling interest		0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 272,393	270,962	304,895	320,324	333,686	333,316	333,229	347,701	$ 364,313	$ 407,637
As Reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Deferred income tax liabilities		35,577	11,677	15,156	16,574
Total Liabilities		357,810	462,165	466,605	471,662
Redeemable non-controlling interest		0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Additional paid-in capital		559,037	562,584	561,483	561,006
Accumulated deficit		(241,710)	(219,823)	(203,269)	(199,621)
Total AgroFresh Stockholders' Equity		272,283	298,050	313,152	326,445
Non-controlling interest		6,728	7,222	7,419	7,585	7,927	8,205	8,297
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		279,011	305,272	320,571	334,030	341,243	341,434	355,998
Adjustment
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Deferred income tax liabilities		0	(7,357)	(7,357)	(7,357)
Total Liabilities		0	(7,357)	(7,357)	(7,357)
Redeemable non-controlling interest		8,049	7,734	7,604	7,701	7,927	8,205	8,297
Additional paid-in capital		(1,321)	(512)	(185)	(116)
Accumulated deficit		0	7,357	7,357	7,357
Total AgroFresh Stockholders' Equity		(1,321)	6,845	7,172	7,241
Non-controlling interest		(6,728)	(7,222)	(7,419)	(7,585)	(7,927)	(8,205)	(8,297)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		$ (8,049)	$ (377)	$ (247)	$ (344)	$ (7,927)	$ (8,205)	$ (8,297)