Related Party Transactions (Company's Investment Balance in Equity Method Investees) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018
Equity Method Investment Companys Investment Balance In Each Equity Method Investees By Entity [Abstract]
Equity method investments		$ 120,929	$ 242,326	$ 232,159
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC
Equity Method Investment Companys Investment Balance In Each Equity Method Investees By Entity [Abstract]
Equity method investments		$ 50,760	50,382	47,474
Percentage of company ownership interest		55.00%
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC
Equity Method Investment Companys Investment Balance In Each Equity Method Investees By Entity [Abstract]
Equity method investments		$ 25,260	24,242	21,214
Percentage of company ownership interest		39.00%
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Equity Method Investment Companys Investment Balance In Each Equity Method Investees By Entity [Abstract]
Equity method investments		$ 16,294	14,841	14,344
Percentage of company ownership interest		33.00%
Lansing Trade Group LLC
Equity Method Investment Companys Investment Balance In Each Equity Method Investees By Entity [Abstract]
Equity method investments	[1]	$ 0	$ 101,715	97,476
Percentage of company ownership interest			32.50%
Thompsons Limited
Equity Method Investment Companys Investment Balance In Each Equity Method Investees By Entity [Abstract]
Equity method investments	[1]	0	$ 48,987	49,251
Providence Grain Group Inc.
Equity Method Investment Companys Investment Balance In Each Equity Method Investees By Entity [Abstract]
Equity method investments		$ 17,161	0	0
Percentage of company ownership interest		39.00%
Other
Equity Method Investment Companys Investment Balance In Each Equity Method Investees By Entity [Abstract]
Equity method investments		$ 11,454	$ 2,159	$ 2,400

[1] The Company previously owned approximately 32.5% of LTG. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company purchased the remaining equity of LTG. The transaction results in the consolidation of Thompsons Limited of Ontario, Canada and related entities, which LTG and the Company had equally owned.