EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST - SCHEDULE OF THE CHANGES IN THE OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMMON STOCK (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	221,553,025	359,901,744	359,901,744
Treasury stock, shares, beginning of the period (shares)	(12,723,592)	(150,172,840)	(149,040,927)
Stock issuances:
Treasury stock, shares, end of the period (shares)	(13,325,898)	(12,723,592)	(150,172,840)
Change in Common Stock due to retirement of treasury shares (shares)	0	(138,348,719)	0
Common stock, shares, outstanding (shares)	208,227,127	208,829,433	209,728,904
Employee stock options
Stock repurchases:
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	(450,000)	(2,674,349)	(615,719)
Stock issuances:
Stock issued during period, shares, share-based compensation (gross)	798,832	3,161,071	1,339,899
Common stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	160,939,248	160,939,248
Stock repurchases:
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	(951,138)	(1,386,193)	(1,406,093)
Stock issuances:
Retirement of treasury common stock (shares)	0	138,348,719	0
Hershey Trust Company
Stock repurchases:
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0	0	(450,000)