Related Party Transactions (Income (Losses) of Company's Equity Method Investees) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2013
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 27,141		$ 16,723	$ 9,721
Reduction in ownership percentage (percentage)		0.30%
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		55.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 5,531		6,052	6,167
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		39.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 4,846		4,591	6,486
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		33.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ 3,832		1,571	5,814
Lansing Trade Group, LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[1]	33.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees	[1]	$ 10,413		4,038	(9,935)
Thompsons Limited
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%	[2]			50.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees	[2]	$ 2,568		696	1,189
Other
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Income earned from Company's equity method investees		$ (49)		$ (225)	$ 0
Other | Minimum
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		5.00%
Other | Maximum
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%

[1] This does not consider restricted management units which, once vested, will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 0.3%.

[2] Thompsons Limited and related U.S. operating company held by joint ventures