Related Party Transactions (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2013
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 16,723		$ 9,721	$ 31,924
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		$ 6,052		6,167	5,636
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		$ 4,591		6,486	6,866
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		33.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 1,571		5,814	4,718
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	[2]	$ 4,038		(9,935)	11,880
Thompsons Limited
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%	[3]			50.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees	[3]	$ 696		1,189	2,735
Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (225)		$ 0	$ 89
Other | Minimum
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		5.00%
Other | Maximum
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%

[1] This does not consider 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

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