Related Party Transactions (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 3,845	$ 23,917	$ 23,295	$ 76,631
Reduction in ownership percentage (percentage)		1.40%		1.40%
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		$ 665	4,566	$ 4,080	16,165
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		$ 1,454	4,564	$ 4,922	16,819
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		$ 385	4,596	$ 3,530	23,106
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		$ 1,382	10,016	$ 9,290	17,130
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]	$ 17	68	$ 1,385	3,154
Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (58)	$ 107	$ 88	$ 257
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 1.4%

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