QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED): (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
Net product sales	$ 139,881	$ 183,806	$ 107,528	$ 105,477	$ 137,929	$ 191,093	$ 104,061	$ 106,812	$ 536,692	$ 539,895	$ 539,627
Product gross margin	52,715	66,760	38,795	38,332	53,207	67,929	37,879	39,947	196,602	198,962	188,667
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.	$ 19,705	$ 26,171	$ 11,059	$ 9,154	$ 18,023	$ 26,668	$ 9,026	$ 9,581	$ 66,089	$ 63,298	$ 60,849
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.43	$ 0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.29	$ 0.43	$ 0.14	$ 0.15	$ 1.08	$ 1.02	$ 0.96
Stock dividend rate (as a percent)									3.00%	3.00%	3.00%