QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
Net product sales	$ 125,179	$ 182,173	$ 104,897	$ 103,425	$ 124,279	$ 185,473	$ 104,259	$ 103,362	$ 515,674	$ 517,373	$ 536,692
Product gross margin	44,778	67,325	39,638	38,009	49,570	70,725	39,250	37,538	189,750	197,083	196,602
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.	$ 31,985	$ 26,933	$ 11,895	$ 10,051	$ 17,841	$ 28,637	$ 11,136	$ 9,896	$ 80,864	$ 67,510	$ 66,089
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.43	$ 0.19	$ 0.16	$ 0.28	$ 0.45	$ 0.17	$ 0.15	$ 1.28	$ 1.05	$ 1.02
Stock dividend rate (as a percent)			3.00%				3.00%		3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Favorable adjustment, per share	$ 0.32								$ 0.32
Favorable adjustment	$ 20,318								$ 20,318