Document and Entity Information Members The carrying amount of receivables as reduced by the valuation allowance in respect of the sum of money due from members accounted for in the current portion by the company. Receivable From Members Current Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block] Land and Land Improvements Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of real estate held for productive use and alterations to land which improves its potential for use. This excludes land held for sale. Land and Land Improvements, Gross Total Other Assets Other Assets Net Noncurrent Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of other assets. Accrued Continuing Costs This element represents the difference between estimated net proceeds from member business/affiliate and actual member business/affiliate amounts reflected as current liabilities in the balance sheet. Accrued Continuing Costs Current Amounts Due Growers Amounts Due Growers Current Amounts payable to member as well as nonmember grower for sugarbeets depending on the selling prices of sugar, related selling expenses and member business expenses associated with the crop. Accrued Employee Benefits Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for perquisites provided to employees pertaining to services received from them. Accrued Employee Benefits Noncurrent Unit Retains Unit Retains Investment from members to provide patronage based financing by deducting a portion of the proceeds from sales based on the physical volume of products marketed through the cooperative. Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Continuing Cost Accrued Continuing Costs The net increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount representing the difference between estimated net proceeds from member business/affiliate and actual member business/affiliate amounts reflected as current liabilities in the balance sheet. Credited Charged to Members Investments [Abstract] Credited (Charged) to American Crystal Sugar Company's Members' Investments: Amendment Description Non-Member Business Income Non Member Business Income The amount relating to non-member business income. Amendment Flag Unit Retains Declared to Members Unit Retains Declared to Members Amount declared to members as "patronage business" as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Net Credit to Members Investments Net Credit to American Crystal Sugar Company's Members' Investments The amount credited to the members against investments after giving effect to non members' business income and unit retains declared to members. Payments to (Due) Members for Sugarbeets, Net of Unit Retains Declared Payments To/Due Members for Sugarbeets, Net of Unit Retains Declared The final payments due to members of sugarbeets after deducting the unit retains. Payments To/Due Members for Sugarbeets, Net of Unit Retains Declared Non Cash Portion of Patronage Dividend from Co Bank ACB The nonoperating portion of income in the form of patronage dividend. Non-Cash Portion of Patronage Dividend from CoBank, ACB Advances To/Due to Related Parties The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of obligations due to or due from related parties. Increase (Decrease) in Due from to Related Parties, Current Increase (Decrease) in Amounts Due Grower The net increase (decrease) in the amount payable to member as well as non member grower for sugarbeets depending on the selling prices of sugar and related selling expenses associated with the crop. Amounts Due Growers Purchases of Property and Equipment Held for Lease The cash outflow for payments to acquire property and equipment that are held for leasing. Purchases of Property and Equipment Held for Lease Payment of Unit Retains Repayment of investment from members as "patronage business" as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Payment of Unit Retains Short-Term Debt Interest Paid and Interest Capitalized Interest Paid and Interest Capitalized Interest Paid And Interest Capitalized Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for the amount of interest paid and capitalized during the reporting period. Accrued Continuing Costs Accrued Continuing Costs Accrued Continuing Costs Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure relating to accrued continuing costs. This represents the difference between proceeds from member business/affiliate and actual member business/affiliate amounts as reflected in current liabilities in the balance sheets. Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and Handling Costs Disclosure [Text Block] Entire disclosure related to the costs incurred for shipping and handling of products sold, which are classified as selling expenses. Current Fiscal Year End Date Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade Document Period End Date Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Less Accumulated Depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Additional Paid-In Capital Additional Paid in Capital Consolidated Balance Sheets Buildings Buildings and Improvements, Gross Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Non Current Pension Asset/Liability Increase (Decrease) in Pension Plan Obligations Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Prepaid Expenses Receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Net Proceeds from Short-Term Debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Accounts Payable Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in Assets and Liabilities: Common Stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Construction in Progress Construction in Progress, Gross Cost of Goods and Services Sold Cost of Sales Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current Current Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Income from Equity Method Investees Environmental Matters Environmental Loss Contingency Disclosure [Text Block] Investments in CoBank, ACB Cost Method Investments Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss on the Disposition of Property and Equipment Gross Proceeds Gross Profit Consolidated Statements of Operations Restricted Cash from Revenue Bonds Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Inventories Inventory, Net Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Investments in Marketing Cooperatives Total Liabilities Liabilities Total Liabilities and Members' Investments Liabilities and Equity Liabilities and Members' Investments Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Maturities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Noncontrolling Interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Cash Used In Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net Proceeds Attributable to American Crystal Sugar Company Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Total Net Proceeds Attributable to American Crystal Sugar Company Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Total Other Income (Expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other Income (Expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Operating Proceeds Operating Income (Loss) Other, Net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Net Periodic Pension and Post-Retirement Costs Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Prepaid Expenses Prepaid Expense, Current Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from the Sale of Property and Equipment Net Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of Property and Equipment Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Receivable and Credit Policies Receivables: Receivables, Net, Current [Abstract] Advances to Related Parties Due from Related Parties, Current Long-Term Debt Repayment Repayments of Long-term Debt Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Net Revenue Revenue, Net Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Short-Term Debt Short-term Debt. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Members' Investments Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Members' Investments Total Current Assets Assets, Current Current Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Property and Equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Total Assets Assets Interest Income Investment Income, Interest Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Other Assets: Other Current Liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Other Liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Net Property and Equipment Held for Lease Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Net Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Equipment Machinery and Equipment, Gross Assets Assets [Abstract] Statement Statement [Line Items] Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net Cash Used In Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Other Assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Recognition of Deferred Revenue Deferred Gain Recognition Proceeds Before Income Tax Expense Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Total American Crystal Sugar Company Members' Investments Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Income Tax Expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Preferred Stock Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Purchases of Property and Equipment not yet paid Short-Term Debt Short-term Debt [Text Block] Long-Term Debt Long-term Debt [Text Block] Consolidated Net Proceeds Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net Proceeds Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interests Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and Amortization Members' Investments: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Total Members' Investments Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Restricted Cash and Investments, Noncurrent Restricted Cash from Revenue Bonds Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Add (Deduct) Non-Cash Items: Accounts Payable Accounts Payable, Current Advances Due to Related Parties Due to Related Parties, Current Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Distributions of Net Proceeds Attributable to American Crystal Sugar Company: Other Accounts and Other Receivables, Net, Current Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Interest Expense, Net Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net Basis of Presentation Accounts Receivable and Credit Policies Legal Matters Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] Legal Matters Fair Value of Financial Instruments Subsequent Events Subsequent Events [Text Block] Inventories Long-Term Debt Net Periodic Pension and Post-Retirement Costs Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Environmental Matters Segment Reporting Subsequent Events Changes in Other Assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities Other Liabilities Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Non-Cash Investing Activities: