Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 51,868	$ 52,770	$ 19,982	$ 33,023	$ 60,970	$ 48,972	$ 21,183	$ 38,940			$ 157,643	$ 170,065	$ 178,786
Cost of sales	13,725	13,511	6,453	8,528	13,533	13,892	6,289	11,335			42,217	45,049	46,271
Gross Profit	38,143	39,259	13,529	24,495	47,437	35,080	14,894	27,605			115,426	125,016	132,515
(Loss) income before taxes	(1,300)	3,476	(16,121)	(7,645)	(34,188)	(2,642)	(28,651)	(13,172)
Net loss	(2,663)	(29,738)	(16,751)	(3,814)	(22,218)	3,011	(22,361)	(12,585)	$ (20,565)	$ (50,303)	(52,966)	(54,153)	(30,240)
Net loss attributable to AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.	(3,060)	(30,053)	(16,881)	(3,717)	$ (21,992)	$ 3,289	$ (22,269)	$ (12,619)	(20,598)	(50,651)	(53,711)	(53,591)	(30,060)
Net loss attributable to AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. common stockholders	$ (9,148)	$ (34,453)	$ (16,881)	$ (3,717)					$ (20,598)	$ (55,051)	$ (64,199)	$ (53,591)	$ (30,060)
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.68)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.44)	$ 0.06	$ (0.45)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.41)	$ (1.08)	$ (1.26)	$ (1.07)	$ (0.60)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.68)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.44)	$ 0.06	$ (0.45)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.41)	$ (1.08)	$ (1.26)	$ (1.07)	$ (0.60)