Related Party Transactions (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 9,721		$ 31,924	$ 96,523
Reduction in ownership percentage (percentage)		0.70%
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		$ 6,167		5,636	19,814
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		39.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 6,486		6,866	21,840
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		$ 5,814		4,718	27,226
Lansing Trade Group, LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[1]	33.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (9,935)		11,880	23,266
Thompsons Limited
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%	[2]			50.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees	[2]	$ 1,189		2,735	4,140
Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 0		$ 89	$ 237
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 the restricted management units which once vested will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 0.7%.

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