Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 13, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000101063
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		46,403,671
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 223,000,000