Related Party Transactions (Income (Loss) Earned from Company's Equity Method Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 7,225	$ 3,586	$ 20,601	$ 8,093
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%		55.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 2,408	1,473	$ 4,858	3,331
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		39.00%		39.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 1,376	1,822	$ 3,121	2,597
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		33.00%		33.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 1,029	985	$ 2,713	1,301
Lansing Trade Group LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[1]	33.00%		33.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 2,428	305	$ 8,603	491
Thompsons Limited
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[2]	50.00%		50.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees	[3]	$ 35	(940)	$ 1,345	546
Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (51)	$ (59)	$ (39)	$ (173)
Other | Minimum
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		5.00%		5.00%
Other | Maximum
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%		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