QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue									$ 471,063	$ 527,113	$ 518,920
Gross Margin									170,361	197,016	188,173
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.	$ 14,952	$ 24,673	$ 7,388	$ 11,982	$ 14,555	$ 29,854	$ 11,556	$ 8,955	$ 58,995	$ 64,920	$ 56,893
Net earnings attributable to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.37	$ 0.11	$ 0.18	$ 0.22	$ 0.44	$ 0.17	$ 0.13	$ 0.89	$ 0.96	$ 0.84
Stock dividends (as a percent)									3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Product
Revenue	$ 127,866	$ 156,962	$ 79,796	$ 102,803	$ 134,663	$ 181,913	$ 106,021	$ 101,019	$ 467,427	$ 523,616	$ 515,251
Gross Margin	$ 44,165	$ 57,775	$ 29,417	$ 36,360	$ 49,229	$ 69,046	$ 40,076	$ 36,163	$ 167,717	$ 194,514	$ 185,371