Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,271,768	$ 952,927	$ 1,312,082	$ 1,003,294	$ 1,584,266	$ 1,181,374	$ 1,566,964	$ 1,271,970	$ 4,540,071	$ 5,604,574	$ 5,272,010
Gross profit	113,951	84,918	121,495	76,775	109,577	73,146	103,229	79,273	397,139	365,225	358,005
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 25,892	$ 16,825	$ 44,301	$ 22,708	$ 30,661	$ 17,161	$ 29,539	$ 12,578	$ 109,726	$ 89,939	$ 79,480
Earnings per share-basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.89	$ 0.59	$ 1.56	$ 0.80	$ 1.09	$ 0.61	$ 1.05	$ 0.45	$ 3.85	$ 3.20	$ 2.85
Earnings per share-diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.89	$ 0.59	$ 1.56	$ 0.80	$ 1.08	$ 0.61	$ 1.05	$ 0.45	$ 3.84	$ 3.18	$ 2.82