Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,584,266	$ 1,181,374	$ 1,566,964	$ 1,271,970	$ 1,680,641	$ 1,138,402	$ 1,315,834	$ 1,137,133	$ 5,604,574	$ 5,272,010	$ 4,576,331
Gross profit	109,577	73,146	103,229	79,273	91,169	78,316	102,650	85,870	365,225	358,005	352,852
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 30,661	$ 17,161	$ 29,539	$ 12,578	$ 14,990	$ 16,884	$ 29,199	$ 18,407	$ 89,939	$ 79,480	$ 95,106
Earnings per share-basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.09	$ 0.61	$ 1.05	$ 0.45	$ 0.54	$ 0.61	$ 1.05	$ 0.66	$ 3.20	$ 2.85	$ 3.42
Earnings per share-diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.08	$ 0.61	$ 1.05	$ 0.45	$ 0.53	$ 0.60	$ 1.04	$ 0.65	$ 3.18	$ 2.82	$ 3.39