CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 225,459	$ 197,719
Cost of goods sold	224,613	205,196
Gross profit (loss)	846	(7,477)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,005	3,378
Loss from operations	(3,159)	(10,855)
Warrant inducements and fair value adjustments	(692)	(33)
Interest expense, net	(3,481)	(2,909)
Gain on extinguishment of debt	817
Other expense, net	(87)	(194)
Loss before provision for income taxes	(6,602)	(13,991)
Provision for income taxes
Consolidated net loss	(6,602)	(13,991)
Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interest in variable interest entity	1,148	9,038
Net loss attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc..	(5,454)	(4,953)
Preferred stock dividends	(312)	(315)
Net loss available to common stockholders	$ (5,766)	$ (5,268)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted	$ (0.57)	$ (0.92)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted	10,060	5,748