Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 4,576,331	$ 3,393,791	$ 3,025,304
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues	4,223,479	3,112,112	2,769,798
Gross profit	352,852	281,679	255,506
Operating, administrative and general expenses	229,090	195,330	199,116
Interest expense	25,256	19,865	20,688
Other income:
Equity in earnings of affiliates	41,450	26,007	17,463
Other income - net	7,922	11,652	8,331
Income before income taxes	147,878	104,143	61,496
Income tax provision	51,053	39,262	21,930
Net income	96,825	64,881	39,566
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1,719	219	1,215
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 95,106	$ 64,662	$ 38,351
Per common share:
Basic earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders	$ 5.13	$ 3.51	$ 2.10
Diluted earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders	$ 5.09	$ 3.48	$ 2.08
Dividends paid	$ 0.4400	$ 0.3575	$ 0.3475