Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 41,225		$ 42,609		$ 14,470
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value of convertible preferred securities (net of income tax of $0, $0 and $74)	(86)		344		(126)
Change in unrecognized actuarial gain and prior service cost (net of income tax of $(879), $(1,809) and $(4,355))	359		6,138		7,447
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(3,834)		3,286		1,039
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $42, $0 and $(72))	(126)		0		111
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,687)	[1]	9,768	[1]	8,471
Comprehensive income (loss)	37,538		52,377		22,941
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(259)		98		2,876
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 37,797		$ 52,279		$ 20,065

[1] All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits