QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
Net product sales	$ 124,279	$ 185,473	$ 104,259	$ 103,362	$ 139,881	$ 183,806	$ 107,528	$ 105,477	$ 517,373	$ 536,692	$ 539,895
Product gross margin	49,570	70,725	39,250	37,538	52,715	66,760	38,795	38,332	197,083	196,602	198,962
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.	$ 17,841	$ 28,637	$ 11,136	$ 9,896	$ 19,705	$ 26,171	$ 11,059	$ 9,154	$ 67,510	$ 66,089	$ 63,298
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.46	$ 0.18	$ 0.16	$ 0.31	$ 0.41	$ 0.17	$ 0.14	$ 1.08	$ 1.04	$ 0.99
Stock dividend rate (as a percent)									3.00%	3.00%	3.00%