Related Party Transactions (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (6,977)	$ 3,261
Reduction in ownership percentage (percentage)		0.80%
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		55.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (322)	1,091
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		38.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (1,079)	288
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (1,809)	333
Lansing Trade Group LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[1]	32.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (2,767)	2,410
Thompsons Limited
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[2]	50.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees	[2]	$ (1,000)	(861)
Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 0	$ 0
Minimum | Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		5.00%
Maximum | Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		34.00%

[1] This does not consider restricted management units which once vested will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 0.8%

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