Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) gal in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 04, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Entity gal		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Entity	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 03, 2015	Jul. 31, 2013 location	Dec. 31, 2007	Jan. 31, 2007
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates		$ 7,100,000
Proceeds from sale of investments	$ 8,200,000
Realized gain on disposal of investment	23,100,000
Proceeds from equity method investment, return of capital	1,300,000
Proceeds from equity method investment, return on capital	$ 6,700,000
Capacity of production facility gallon per year | gal		110
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners											34.00%
Number of ethanol entities | Entity		3		3
Revenues recognized for sale of ethanol		$ 590,900,000		$ 427,800,000	$ 428,200,000
Revenues recognized for sale of corn		498,800,000		426,800,000	$ 443,900,000
Due from related parties		5,900,000		4,100,000
Receivables due from related parties due more than 30 days		132,300		9,400
Undistributed earnings of equity method investments		83,200,000
Percentage of new shares acquired from subsidiary (percentage)								100.00%
Related party, gross asset		200,000		4,100,000
Related party, gross liability		$ 2,500,000		$ 100,000
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		55.00%
Capacity of production facility gallon per year | gal		110
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		33.00%
Capacity of production facility gallon per year | gal		110
Equity method investment ownership percentage transferred						50.00%						50.00%
Additional investment for minority interest ownership by noncontrolling owners						$ 1,100,000
Andersons Ethanol Investments LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)							66.00%
Lux JV Hold Co
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)										100.00%
Thompsons Limited
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%	[1]							50.00%
Number of locations | location										12
LTG
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	31.00%								38.50%
LTG | New Hope
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	20.00%

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