Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,181,374	$ 1,138,402	$ 4,020,308	$ 3,591,369
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues	1,108,228	1,060,086	3,764,660	3,324,533
Gross profit	73,146	78,316	255,648	266,836
Operating, administrative and general expenses	69,193	58,029	192,665	177,339
Interest expense	5,348	5,482	16,607	16,192
Other income:
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates	22,177	6,027	39,991	15,406
Other income, net	7,605	3,492	11,623	9,409
Income before income taxes	28,387	24,324	97,990	98,120
Income tax provision	10,348	9,133	36,907	36,730
Net income	18,039	15,191	61,083	61,390
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	878	(1,693)	1,805	(3,100)
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 17,161	$ 16,884	$ 59,278	$ 64,490
Per common share:
Basic earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders (dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 0.91	$ 3.17	$ 3.47
Diluted earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders (dollars per share)	$ 0.91	$ 0.90	$ 3.15	$ 3.43
Dividends paid (dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.15	$ 0.48	$ 0.45