Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information Unaudited (Details) [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,297,830	$ 938,660	$ 1,338,167	$ 1,001,674	$ 1,153,969	$ 706,825	$ 810,999	$ 721,998	$ 4,576,331	$ 3,393,791	$ 3,025,304
Gross Profit	86,431	64,964	122,772	78,685	82,466	53,109	87,554	58,550	352,852	281,679	255,506
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 21,697	$ 10,925	$ 45,218	$ 17,266	$ 25,834	$ 1,394	$ 25,169	$ 12,265	$ 95,106	$ 64,662	$ 38,351
Earnings per common share - basic	$ 1.17	$ 0.59	$ 2.44	$ 0.93	$ 1.40	$ 0.08	$ 1.37	$ 0.67	$ 5.13	$ 3.51	$ 2.10
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 1.17	$ 0.59	$ 2.42	$ 0.93	$ 1.39	$ 0.08	$ 1.36	$ 0.66	$ 5.09	$ 3.48	$ 2.08