Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, gal in Millions		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2020 $ / gal	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) $ / gal gal	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Operating lease right-of-use assets		$ 36,330	$ 35,456
Operating lease liabilities		37,744
Estimated future minimum rental commitments		$ 24,500
Fee-based Storage and Throughput Agreement [Member] | Green Plains Trade [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Service Agreement, Throughput Of Ethanol, Price Per Gallon | $ / gal	0.05312	0.05
Quarterly minimum volume commitment, throughput capacity (in gallons) | gal		235.7
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract		7 years 9 months 18 days
Lessor, Operating Lease, Renewal Term		1 year
Minimum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Operating lease remaining lease term		1 year
Operating leases, not yet commenced, lease term		5 years
Maximum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Operating lease remaining lease term		11 years 1 month 6 days
Operating leases, not yet commenced, lease term		6 years
Amended Rail Transportation Services Agreement [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract		4 years 9 months 18 days
Lessor, Operating Lease, Renewal Term		1 year
Terminal Services And Logistics Solutions [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Renewal Term		4 years 10 months 24 days