SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2018
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of consolidation	Basis of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (the Company), which are primarily engaged in the manufacture and sales of candy products. Non-controlling interests relating to majority-owned subsidiaries are reflected in the consolidated financial statements and all significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue recognition	Revenue recognition: The Company’s revenues, primarily net product sales, principally result from the sale of goods, reflect the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled generally based on customer purchase orders. The Company records revenue based on a five-step model in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606 which became effective January, 1, 2018. Adjustments for estimated customer cash discounts upon payment, discounts for price adjustments, product returns, allowances, and certain advertising and promotional costs, including consumer coupons, are variable consideration and are recorded as a reduction of product sales revenue in the same period the related product sales are recorded. Such estimates are calculated using historical averages adjusted for any expected changes due to current business conditions and experience. A net product sale is recorded when the Company delivers the product to the customer, or in certain instances, the customer picks up the goods at the Company’s distribution center, and thereby obtains control of such product. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as accounts receivables trade on the balance sheet and require payment on a short-term basis. Accounts receivable are unsecured. Shipping and handling costs of $49,527, $44,082, and $40,759 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, are included in selling, marketing and administrative expenses. A minor amount of royalty income (less than 0.2% of our consolidated net sales) is also recognized from sales-based licensing arrangements, pursuant to which revenue is recognized as the third-party licensee sales occur. Rental income (less than 1% of our consolidated net sales) is not considered revenue from contracts from customers. See “Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements” for further discussion.
Cash and cash equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers short-term debt securities with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Substantially all cash and cash equivalents are held at a major U.S. money center bank or its foreign branches (Bank of America), or its investment broker affiliate (Merrill Lynch). The Company also holds certificates of deposit (CDs) of U.S. banks selected by this investment broker based on their financial ratings; substantially all such CDs are invested in separate individual banks which are generally not in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) limit of $250 per bank. The cash in the Company's U.S. banks (primarily Bank of America) is not fully insured by the FDIC due to the statutory limit of $250. The Company had approximately $15,327 and $22,665 of cash in foreign banks, principally foreign branches of a U.S. bank (Bank of America), at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company's cash in its foreign bank accounts is also not fully insured.
Investments	Investments: Investments consist of various marketable securities with maturities of generally up to three years, and variable rate demand notes with interest rates that are generally reset weekly and the security can be “put” back and sold weekly. The Company classifies debt and equity securities as either available for sale or trading. Available for sale debt securities are not actively traded by the Company and are carried at fair value. The Company follows current fair value measurement guidance and unrealized gains and losses on these securities are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of applicable taxes, until realized or other-than-temporarily impaired. Trading securities related to deferred compensation arrangements are carried at fair value with gains or losses included in other income, net. The Company invests in trading securities to economically hedge changes in its deferred compensation liabilities. The Company regularly reviews its investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is other-than-temporary. If the decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair value and the amount of the write-down is included in other income, net. Further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s investments is included in Note 10 of the Company’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Derivative instruments and hedging activities	Derivative instruments and hedging activities: Authoritative guidance requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of derivative instruments and related gains and losses, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. From time to time, the Company enters into commodity futures and foreign currency forward contracts. Commodity futures are intended and are effective as hedges of market price risks associated with the anticipated purchase of certain raw materials (primarily sugar). Foreign currency forward contracts are intended and are effective as hedges of the Company’s exposure to the variability of cash flows, primarily related to the foreign exchange rate changes of products manufactured in Canada and sold in the United States, and periodic equipment purchases from foreign suppliers denominated in a foreign currency. The Company does not engage in trading or other speculative use of derivative instruments. Further information regarding derivative instruments and hedging activities is included in Note 11 of the Company’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Inventories	Inventories: Inventories are stated at lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of substantially all of the Company’s inventories ($50,338 and $51,694 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) has been determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The excess of current cost over LIFO cost of inventories approximates $17,062 and $18,825 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The cost of certain foreign inventories ($4,186 and $4,423 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) has been determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Rebates, discounts and other cash consideration received from vendors related to inventory purchases is reflected as a reduction in the cost of the related inventory item, and is, therefore, reflected in cost of sales when the related inventory item is sold.
Property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment: Depreciation is computed for financial reporting purposes by use of the straight-line method based on useful lives of 20 to 35 years for buildings and 5 to 20 years for machinery and equipment. Depreciation expense was $18,669, $18,991 and $19,627 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Carrying value of long-lived assets	Carrying value of long-lived assets: The Company reviews long-lived assets to determine if there are events or circumstances indicating that the amount of the asset reflected in the Company’s balance sheet may not be recoverable. When such indicators are present, the Company compares the carrying value of the long-lived asset, or asset group, to the future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying assets to determine if impairment exists. If applicable, an impairment charge would be recorded to write down the carrying value to its fair value. The determination of fair value involves the use of estimates of future cash flows that involve considerable management judgment and are based upon assumptions about expected future operating performance. The actual cash flows could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in business conditions, operating performance, and economic conditions. In fourth quarter 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded charges of $1,126 and $2,371, respectively, relating to the impairment of assets of a foreign subsidiary which is included in selling, marketing and administrative expense. Except for the aforementioned, no impairment charges of long-lived assets were recorded by the Company during 2018, 2017 or 2016.
Postretirement health care benefits	Postretirement health care benefits: The Company provides certain postretirement health care benefits to a group of “grandfathered” corporate office and management employees. The cost of these postretirement benefits is accrued during the employees’ working careers. See Note 7 of the Company’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The Company also provides split dollar life benefits to an executive officer. The Company records an asset equal to the cumulative insurance premiums paid that will be recovered upon the death of covered employees or earlier under the terms of the plan. No premiums were paid in 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets: In accordance with authoritative guidance, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but rather reviewed and tested for impairment at least annually unless certain interim triggering events or circumstances require more frequent testing. All trademarks have been assessed by management to have indefinite lives because they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely. Management believes that all assumptions used for the impairment review and testing are consistent with those utilized by market participants performing similar valuations. No impairments of intangibles, including trademarks and goodwill, were recorded in 2018, 2017 or 2016. Current accounting guidance provides entities an option of performing a qualitative assessment (a "step-zero" test) before performing a quantitative analysis. If the entity determines, on the basis of certain qualitative factors, that it is more-likely-than-not that the intangibles (goodwill and certain trademarks) are not impaired, the entity would not need to proceed to the two step impairment testing process (quantitative analysis) as prescribed in the guidance. During fourth quarter 2018, the Company performed a “step zero” test of its goodwill and certain trademarks, and concluded that there was no impairment based on this guidance. Impairment testing of certain trademarks where the “step-zero” analysis was not considered appropriate was performed in fourth quarter 2018 (and 2017 and 2016) using discounted cash flows and estimated royalty rates.
Income taxes	Income taxes: Deferred income taxes are recorded and recognized for future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting. The Company records valuation allowances in situations where the realization of deferred tax assets is not more-likely-than-not. Further information regarding U.S. tax reform and other income tax matters are included in Note 4 of the Company’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign currency translation	Foreign currency translation: The U.S. dollar is used as the functional currency where a substantial portion of the subsidiary’s business is indexed to the U.S. dollar or where its manufactured products are principally sold in the U.S. All other foreign subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional currency. Where the U.S. dollar is used as the functional currency, foreign currency remeasurements are recorded as a charge or credit to other income, net in the statement of earnings. Where the foreign local currency is used as the functional currency, translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Restricted cash	Restricted cash: Restricted cash comprises certain cash deposits of the Company’s majority-owned Spanish subsidiary with international banks that are pledged as collateral for letters of credit and bank borrowings.
VEBA trust	VEBA trust: The Company maintains a VEBA trust managed and controlled by the Company, to fund the estimated future costs of certain employee health, welfare and other benefits. The Company made a $20,024 contribution to the VEBA trust in fourth quarter 2017 but no contribution were made to the trust in 2018. The Company will be using the VEBA trust funds to pay the actual cost of such benefits through 2022. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the VEBA trust held $15,921 and $19,713, respectively, of aggregate cash and cash equivalents. This asset value is included in prepaid expenses and long-term other assets in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. These assets are categorized as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
Bank loans	Bank loans: Bank loans comprise borrowings by the Company’s majority-owned Spanish subsidiary which are held by international banks.
Comprehensive earnings	Comprehensive earnings: Comprehensive earnings include net earnings, foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains/losses on commodity and/or foreign currency hedging contracts, available for sale securities and certain postretirement benefit obligations.
Earnings per share	Earnings per share: A dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share is not required due to the lack of potentially dilutive securities under the Company’s simple capital structure. Therefore, all earnings per share amounts represent basic earnings per share. The Class B common stock has essentially the same rights as common stock, except that each share of Class B common stock has ten votes per share (compared to one vote per share of common stock), is not traded on any exchange, is restricted as to transfer and is convertible on a share-for-share basis, at any time and at no cost to the holders, into shares of common stock which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Use of estimates	Use of estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Estimates are used when accounting for sales discounts, allowances and incentives, product liabilities, assets recorded at fair value, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, employee benefits, contingencies and intangible asset and liability valuations. Actual results may or may not differ from those estimates.
Recent accounting pronouncements	Recently adopted accounting pronouncements: In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, (ASC Topic 606) which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. Subsequent to the issuance of ASC Topic 606, the FASB clarified and amended the guidance through several Accounting Standard Updates; hereinafter the collection of revenue guidance is referred to as “ASC 606”. The core principle of ASC 606 is that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and related amendments (ASC 606) as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. As a result of adoption, the cumulative impact to retained earnings at January 1, 2018 was a net after-tax increase of $3,319 ($4,378 pre-tax). The adoption principally changed the timing of recognition of certain trade promotions and related adjustments thereto which affect net product sales. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company expects the impact of the adoption of the new standard to be immaterial to its net income on an ongoing basis. Revenue continues to be recognized at a point in time for product sales when products are delivered to or picked up by the customer as discussed above. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 which provides financial statement preparers with an option to reclassify stranded tax effects within Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (or portion thereof) is recorded. The guidance is effective for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The amendments should be applied either in the period adopted or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2018 with a $593 cumulative-effect adjustment from AOCI to decrease retained earnings related to certain tax effects of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and other post-retirement benefits. No other income tax effects related to the application of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act were reclassified from AOCI to retained earnings. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05 which adds various Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) paragraphs pursuant to the issuance of the December 2017 SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“SAB 118”), which was effective immediately. The SEC issued SAB 118 to address concerns about reporting entities’ ability to timely comply with the accounting requirements to recognize all of the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in the period of enactment. SAB 118 allows disclosure that timely determination of some or all of the income tax effects from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are incomplete by the due date of the financial statements and if possible to provide a reasonable estimate. The Company accounted for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act under the guidance of SAB 118, on a provisional basis as of December 31, 2017 and through the first three quarters of 2018 (through September 30, 2018). The accounting for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was completed as of December 31, 2018 and there were no material adjustment to the previously recorded amounts. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, as amended by ASU 2018-03, issued in February 2018, which among other changes in accounting and disclosure requirements, replaces the cost method of accounting for non-marketable equity securities with a model for recognizing impairments and observable price changes, and also eliminates the available-for-sale classification for marketable equity securities. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The Company does not have any non-marketable securities, and therefore, the adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years. The Company retrospectively adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The Company’s adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending amounts for the periods shown on the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company retrospectively adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The Company’s adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07 which requires companies with other postretirement employee benefit plans to present the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other compensation costs. The other components of net periodic benefit cost will be presented separately and not included in operating income. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years. The Company retrospectively adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The Company’s adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Recently issued accounting pronouncements - not yet adopted In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Subtopic 842). ASU 2016-02 will require companies to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. For public companies, this standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. On January 1, 2019, the Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 utilizing the modified retrospective transition method and will not recast comparative periods in transition to the new standard. In addition, we will elect certain practical expedients which permit us not to reassess whether existing contracts are or contain leases, to not reassess the lease classification of any existing leases, to not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases, and to not separate lease components for all classes of underlying assets. We will also be implementing an accounting policy election to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off of the balance sheet for all classes of underlying assets. Adoption of the new standard will result in in an increase in the Company’s assets and liabilities of approximately $1,500. The ASU will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, which replaces the current incurred loss impairment method with a new method that reflects expected credit losses. Under this new model an entity would recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current estimate of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, guidance that amends hedge accounting. Under the new guidance, more hedging strategies will be eligible for hedge accounting and the application of hedge accounting is simplified. The new guidance amends presentation and disclosure requirements, and how effectiveness is assessed. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2017-12. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.