EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST - SCHEDULE OF THE CHANGES IN THE OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMMON STOCK (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	359,901,744	359,901,744	359,901,744
Treasury stock, shares, beginning of the period (shares)	(150,172,840)	(149,040,927)	(147,642,009)
Stock issuances:
Treasury stock, shares, end of the period (shares)	(12,723,592)	(150,172,840)	(149,040,927)
Change in Common Stock due to retirement of treasury shares (shares)	(138,348,719)	0	0
Common stock, shares, outstanding (shares)	208,829,433	209,728,904	210,860,817
Employee stock options
Stock repurchases:
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	(2,674,349)	(615,719)	(1,278,675)
Stock issuances:
Stock issued during period, shares, share-based compensation (gross)	3,161,071	1,339,899	1,379,757
Common stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	160,999,248	299,287,967
Stock repurchases:
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	(1,386,193)	(1,406,093)	0
Stock issuances:
Retirement of treasury common stock (shares)	138,348,719	0	0
Hershey Trust Company
Stock repurchases:
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0	(450,000)	(1,500,000)