Document and Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CAMBREX CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000820081
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 133,921,442
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,622,079
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012