Related Party Transactions (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 3,573	$ (1,878)
Reduction in ownership percentage (percentage)		1.00%	1.00%
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		$ 1,121	$ (277)
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		$ 509	207
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		33.00%		50.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (44)	(463)
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		$ 2,584	(711)
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	[3]	$ (669)	(595)
Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 72	$ (39)
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 1%

[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