Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Apr. 15, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CEN BIOTECH INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001653821
Trading Symbol	cenb
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		25,518,363
Entity Public Float			$ 0
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false