Related Parties (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
Equity method investment ownership percentage, minimum	7.00%		7.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	$ 12,512	$ 6,667	$ 19,758	$ 16,572
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	179,888	168,098	179,888	168,098	175,349
Related party transactions entered into for the time periods presented
Sales and service fee revenues	232,239	115,285	412,986	234,131
Purchases of product	159,381	105,318	288,124	215,071
Lease income	1,415	1,436	2,667	2,819
Labor and benefits reimbursement	2,611	2,713	5,384	5,399
Other expenses	45		45
Accounts receivable at June 30	23,558	12,056	23,558	12,056
Accounts payable at June 30	21,409	16,292	21,409	16,292
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
% ownership at September 30, 2010 (direct and indirect)	50.00%		50.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	2,146	1,201	2,530	3,922
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	31,075	32,635	31,075	32,635	31,048
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
% ownership at September 30, 2010 (direct and indirect)	38.00%		38.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	2,783	2,047	2,919	4,931
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	40,106	37,109	40,106	37,109	37,496
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
% ownership at September 30, 2010 (direct and indirect)	50.00%		50.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	2,153	1,145	2,648	2,384
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	37,577	36,197	37,577	36,197	34,929
Lansing Trade Group LLC [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
% ownership at September 30, 2010 (direct and indirect)	51.00%		51.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	5,346	2,272	11,512	5,158
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	69,175	60,729	69,175	60,729	70,143
Other Entity [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
Equity method investment ownership percentage, maximum	33.00%		33.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	84	2	149	177
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	$ 1,955	$ 1,428	$ 1,955	$ 1,428	$ 1,733

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Related party transaction labor and benefits reimbursement from transactions with related party.

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Related party transactions.

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The aggregate amount of receivables to be collected from related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth, at the financial statement date. which are usually due within one year (or one business cycle).

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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Expenses recognized during the period resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party during the period.

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Revenues, net of returns and allowances, realized from sales and other transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party during the period.

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