XML 40 R52.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Segment Information (Summary Of Financial Data) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues $ 829,939us-gaap_Revenues $ 833,925us-gaap_Revenues $ 837,858us-gaap_Revenues $ 733,889us-gaap_Revenues $ 712,869us-gaap_Revenues $ 757,971us-gaap_Revenues $ 804,696us-gaap_Revenues $ 765,476us-gaap_Revenues $ 3,235,611us-gaap_Revenues $ 3,041,011us-gaap_Revenues $ 3,476,870us-gaap_Revenues
Gross profit                 374,798us-gaap_GrossProfit 173,020us-gaap_GrossProfit 96,771us-gaap_GrossProfit
Operating income 73,929us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 75,055us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 58,946us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 78,343us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 51,051us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 25,534us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 18,562us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 12,704us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 286,274us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 107,851us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 64,885us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Income (loss) before income taxes                 250,430us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest 72,281us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest 25,156us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
Depreciation and amortization                 60,362us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization 51,002us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization 52,828us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Interest expense                 39,908us-gaap_InterestExpense 33,357us-gaap_InterestExpense 37,521us-gaap_InterestExpense
Capital expenditures                 61,533us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions 19,764us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions 26,776us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
Revenue Including Intersegment Activity [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 6,917,128us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueIncludingIntersegmentActivityMember
5,828,569us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueIncludingIntersegmentActivityMember
5,419,402us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueIncludingIntersegmentActivityMember
Ethanol Production [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 2,171,022us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
2,051,042us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
1,909,243us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
Gross profit                 236,096us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
79,109us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
(4,895)us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
Operating income                 214,497us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
63,012us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
(20,393)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
Income (loss) before income taxes                 198,598us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
44,061us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
(42,430)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
Depreciation and amortization                 52,393us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
45,312us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
44,239us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
Interest expense                 22,749us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
18,988us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
22,081us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
Capital expenditures                 32,050us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
8,469us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
7,637us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
Ethanol Production [Member] | Revenue From External Customers [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 (51,424)us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
[1] 116,272us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
[1] 200,443us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
[1]
Ethanol Production [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 2,222,446us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
1,934,770us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
1,708,800us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_EthanolProductionMember
Corn Oil Production [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 79,750us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
69,163us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
57,844us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
Gross profit                 42,937us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
36,615us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
32,388us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
Operating income                 42,651us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
36,569us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
32,140us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
Income (loss) before income taxes                 42,655us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
36,570us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
32,142us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
Depreciation and amortization                 1,756us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
1,175us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
1,156us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
Capital expenditures                 8,154us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
1,782us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
725us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
Corn Oil Production [Member] | Revenue From External Customers [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                     529us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
[1]
Corn Oil Production [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 79,750us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
69,163us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
57,315us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CornOilProductionMember
Agribusiness [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 1,308,556us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
813,718us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
584,684us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
Gross profit                 14,833us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
6,258us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
35,973us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
Operating income                 8,497us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
3,324us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
60,030us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
Income (loss) before income taxes                 5,996us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
793us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
54,172us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
Depreciation and amortization                 1,441us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
362us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
4,209us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
Interest expense                 2,591us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
2,531us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
5,881us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
Capital expenditures                 17,166us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
6,514us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
2,006us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
Agribusiness [Member] | Revenue From External Customers [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 100,436us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
[1] 51,883us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
[1] 408,622us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
[1]
Agribusiness [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 1,208,120us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
761,835us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
176,062us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_AgribusinessMember
Marketing And Distribution [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 3,357,800us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
2,894,646us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
2,867,631us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
Gross profit                 80,326us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
57,671us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
32,362us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
Operating income                 52,669us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
40,971us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
17,290us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
Income (loss) before income taxes                 47,921us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
37,098us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
13,768us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
Depreciation and amortization                 3,096us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
2,836us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
1,942us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
Interest expense                 5,267us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
4,079us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
3,532us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
Capital expenditures                 1,334us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
2,347us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
15,791us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
Marketing And Distribution [Member] | Revenue From External Customers [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 3,186,599us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
2,872,856us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
2,867,276us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_RevenueFromExternalCustomersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
Marketing And Distribution [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 171,201us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
21,790us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
355us-gaap_Revenues
/ gpre_SourceOfRevenueAxis
= gpre_IntersegmentRevenueMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_MarketingAndDistributionMember
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Revenues                 (3,681,517)us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
(2,787,558)us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
(1,942,532)us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
Gross profit                 606us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
(6,633)us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
943us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
Operating income                 666us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
(6,588)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
977us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
Income (loss) before income taxes                 666us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
(6,588)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
977us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
Interest expense                 (238)us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
(982)us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
(1,137)us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
Corporate Activities [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Operating income                 (32,706)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
(29,437)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
(25,159)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
Income (loss) before income taxes                 (45,406)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
(39,653)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
(33,473)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
Depreciation and amortization                 1,676us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
1,317us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
1,282us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
Interest expense                 9,539us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
8,741us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
7,164us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
Capital expenditures                 $ 2,829us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
$ 652us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
$ 617us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= gpre_CorporateActivitiesMember
[1] Revenues from external customers include realized gains and losses from derivative financial instruments.