Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,566,964	$ 1,315,834	$ 2,838,934	$ 2,452,967
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues	1,463,735	1,213,184	2,656,432	2,264,447
Gross profit	103,229	102,650	182,502	188,520
Operating, administrative and general expenses	61,464	59,210	123,472	119,310
Interest expense	4,855	5,380	11,259	10,710
Other income:
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates	10,010	5,096	17,814	9,379
Other income, net	1,292	2,671	4,018	5,917
Income before income taxes	48,212	45,827	69,603	73,796
Income tax provision	17,480	17,356	26,559	27,597
Net income	30,732	28,471	43,044	46,199
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	1,193	(728)	927	(1,407)
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 29,539	$ 29,199	$ 42,117	$ 47,606
Per common share:
Basic earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders (dollars per share)	$ 1.58	$ 1.57	$ 2.25	$ 2.56
Diluted earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders (dollars per share)	$ 1.57	$ 1.56	$ 2.24	$ 2.54
Dividends paid (dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.15	$ 0.32	$ 0.30