QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue									$ 527,113	$ 518,920	$ 519,289
Gross Margin									197,016	188,173	191,906
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.	$ 14,555	$ 29,854	$ 11,556	$ 8,955	$ 12,175	$ 26,104	$ 10,489	$ 8,125	$ 64,920	$ 56,893	$ 80,864
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.46	$ 0.18	$ 0.14	$ 0.18	$ 0.40	$ 0.16	$ 0.12	$ 0.99	$ 0.86	$ 1.21
Stock dividends (as a percent)									3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Product
Revenue	$ 134,663	$ 181,913	$ 106,021	$ 101,019	$ 127,264	$ 181,505	$ 105,623	$ 100,859	$ 523,616	$ 515,251	$ 515,674
Gross Margin	$ 49,229	$ 69,046	$ 40,076	$ 36,163	$ 45,945	$ 66,259	$ 38,142	$ 35,025	$ 194,514	$ 185,371	$ 189,263