Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,680,641	$ 1,138,402	$ 1,315,834	$ 1,137,133	$ 1,297,830	$ 938,660	$ 1,338,167	$ 1,001,674	$ 5,272,010	$ 4,576,331	$ 3,393,791
Gross profit	91,169	78,316	102,650	85,870	86,431	64,964	122,772	78,685	358,005	352,852	281,679
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 14,990	$ 16,884	$ 29,199	$ 18,407	$ 21,697	$ 10,925	$ 45,218	$ 17,266	$ 79,480	$ 95,106	$ 64,662
Earnings per share-basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.91	$ 1.57	$ 0.99	$ 1.17	$ 0.59	$ 2.44	$ 0.93	$ 4.27	$ 5.13	$ 3.51
Earnings per share-diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.90	$ 1.56	$ 0.98	$ 1.17	$ 0.59	$ 2.42	$ 0.93	$ 4.23	$ 5.09	$ 3.48