Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,338,167	$ 810,999	$ 2,339,841	$ 1,532,997
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues	1,215,395	723,445	2,138,384	1,386,893
Gross profit	122,772	87,554	201,457	146,104
Operating, administrative and general expenses	57,730	51,107	111,437	96,510
Interest expense	7,562	4,663	14,898	9,298
Other income:
Equity in earnings of affiliates	12,512	6,667	19,758	16,572
Other income, net	2,018	1,881	4,324	5,535
Income before income taxes	72,010	40,332	99,204	62,403
Income tax provision	25,975	14,553	35,781	23,968
Net income	46,035	25,779	63,423	38,435
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(817)	(610)	(939)	(1,001)
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 45,218	$ 25,169	$ 62,484	$ 37,434
Per common share:
Basic earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders	$ 2.44	$ 1.37	$ 3.37	$ 2.04
Diluted earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders	$ 2.42	$ 1.36	$ 3.34	$ 2.02
Dividends paid	$ 0.1100	$ 0.0900	$ 0.2200	$ 0.1775