Related Party Transactions (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2014
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 16,190		$ 32,213		$ 19,450		$ 52,714
Reduction in ownership percentage (percentage)		1.00%				1.00%
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		53.00%				53.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 2,324		6,656		$ 3,416		11,599
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		38.00%				38.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 3,180		6,716		$ 3,468		12,255
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%				50.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 2,812		10,374		$ 3,144		18,509
Lansing Trade Group LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[1]	40.00%				40.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 5,498		4,893		$ 7,908		7,114
Thompsons Limited
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[2]	50.00%				50.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 2,229	[2]	3,399	[2]	$ 1,367	[3]	3,086	[3]
Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 147		$ 175		$ 147		$ 151
Minimum | Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		5.00%				5.00%
Maximum | Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		34.00%				34.00%

[1] This does not consider restricted management units which once vested will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 1.0%

[2] Thompsons Limited and related U.S. operating company held by joint ventures

[3] Thompsons Limited and related U.S. operating company held by joint ventures