The Hershey Company (HSY) 10-K 20 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

DOCUMENT_AND_ENTITY_INFORMATIO

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Feb. 06, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HERSHEY CO
Entity Central Index Key	47111
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float		$14,349,963,182
Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			160,208,263
Common Class B
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			60,619,777

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net sales	$7,421,768	$7,146,079	$6,644,252
Costs and Expenses
Cost of sales	4,085,602	3,865,231	3,784,370
Selling, marketing and administrative	1,900,970	1,922,508	1,703,796
Business realignment and impairment charges	45,621	18,665	44,938
Total costs and expenses	6,032,193	5,806,404	5,533,104
Income before interest and income taxes	1,389,575	1,339,675	1,111,148
Interest expense, net	83,532	88,356	95,569
Income before income taxes	1,306,043	1,251,319	1,015,579
Provision for income taxes	459,131	430,849	354,648
Net income	$846,912	$820,470	$660,931
Common Stock
Costs and Expenses
Earnings Per Share - Basic	$3.91	$3.76	$3.01
Earnings Per Share - Diluted	$3.77	$3.61	$2.89
Cash Dividends Paid Per Share
Common Stock	$2.04	$1.81	$1.56
Common Class B
Costs and Expenses
Earnings Per Share - Basic	$3.54	$3.39	$2.73
Earnings Per Share - Diluted	$3.52	$3.37	$2.71
Cash Dividends Paid Per Share
Common Stock	$1.84	$1.63	$1.41

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net income	$202,508	$223,741	$168,168	$252,495	$186,075	$232,985	$159,504	$241,906	$846,912	$820,470	$660,931
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									-26,851	-26,003	7,714
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans									-85,016	166,403	-9,634
Cash flow hedges:
(Losses) gains on cash flow hedging derivatives									-37,077	72,334	-868
Reclassification adjustments									-43,062	5,775	60,043
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax									-192,006	218,509	57,255
Comprehensive Income									$654,906	$1,038,979	$718,186

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$374,854	$1,118,508
Short-term investments	97,131	0
Accounts receivable - trade, net	596,940	477,912
Inventories	801,036	659,541
Deferred income taxes	100,515	52,511
Prepaid expenses and other	276,571	178,862
Total current assets	2,247,047	2,487,334
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	2,151,901	1,805,345
Goodwill	792,955	576,561
Other intangibles	294,841	195,244
Other assets	142,772	293,004
Total assets	5,629,516	5,357,488
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	482,017	461,514
Accrued liabilities	813,513	699,722
Accrued income taxes	4,616	79,911
Short-term debt	384,696	165,961
Current portion of long-term debt	250,805	914
Total current liabilities	1,935,647	1,408,022
Long-term debt	1,548,963	1,795,142
Other long-term liabilities	526,003	434,068
Deferred income taxes	99,373	104,204
Total liabilities	4,109,986	3,741,436
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	299,281	299,281
Class B common stock	60,620	60,620
Additional paid-in capital	754,186	664,944
Retained earnings	5,860,784	5,454,286
Treasury-common stock shares, at cost	-5,161,236	-4,707,730
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-358,573	-166,567
The Hershey Company stockholders' equity	1,455,062	1,604,834
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	64,468	11,218
Total stockholders' equity	1,519,530	1,616,052
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$5,629,516	$5,357,488

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, shares issued	0	0
Common Stock, shares issued	359,901,744	359,901,744
Treasury Common Stock Shares At Cost	138,856,786	136,007,023
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares issued	299,281,967	299,281,527
Common Class B
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares issued	60,619,777	60,620,217

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Activities
Net Income	$846,912	$820,470	$660,931
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operations
Depreciation and amortization	211,532	201,033	210,037
Stock-based compensation expense	54,068	53,967	50,482
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-53,497	-48,396	-33,876
Deferred income taxes	18,796	7,457	13,785
Non-cash business realignment and impairment charges	39,988	0	38,144
Contributions to pension and other benefit plans	-53,110	-57,213	-44,208
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions and divestitures
Accounts receivable - trade, net	-67,464	-16,529	-50,470
Inventories	-88,497	-26,279	26,598
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-13,847	102,411	69,645
Other assets and liabilities	-56,660	151,484	153,759
Net cash provided by operating activities	838,221	1,188,405	1,094,827
Investing Activities
Capital additions	-345,947	-323,551	-258,727
Capitalized software additions	-24,842	-27,360	-19,239
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment	1,612	15,331	453
Loan to affiliate	0	-16,000	-23,000
Business acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	-396,265	0	-172,856
Purchase of short-term investments	-97,131	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-862,573	-351,580	-473,369
Financing Activities
Net increase in short-term debt	117,515	54,351	77,698
Long-term borrowings	3,051	250,595	4,025
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,442	-250,761	-99,381
Cash dividends paid	-440,414	-393,801	-341,206
Exercise of stock options	122,306	147,255	261,597
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	53,497	48,396	33,876
Payments to noncontrolling interests	0	0	-15,791
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	2,940	2,940	2,940
Repurchase of common stock	-576,755	-305,564	-510,630
Net cash used in financing activities	-719,302	-446,589	-586,872
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-743,654	390,236	34,586
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	1,118,508	728,272	693,686
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31	374,854	1,118,508	728,272
Interest paid	87,801	92,551	100,269
Income taxes paid	$384,318	$373,902	$327,230

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Common Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries	Total Stockholders' Equity	Class B
In Thousands										Common Stock
Total stockholders' equity at Dec. 31, 2011		$0	$299,269	$490,817	$4,707,892	($4,258,962)	($442,331)	$23,626	$880,943	$60,632
Net Income	660,931				660,931				660,931
Other comprehensive income (loss)	57,255						57,255		57,255
Common Stock					-255,596				-255,596
Class B Common Stock					-85,610				-85,610
Conversion of Class B Common Stock into Common Stock			3						0	-3
Stock-based compensation				49,175					49,175
Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions				64,028		210,924			274,952
Repurchase of common stock	-510,630					-510,630			-510,630
Acquisition				-11,045				-4,746	-15,791
Earnings of and contributions from noncontrolling interests, net								-7,256	-7,256
Total stockholders' equity at Dec. 31, 2012		0	299,272	592,975	5,027,617	-4,558,668	-385,076	11,624	1,048,373	60,629
Net Income	820,470				820,470				820,470
Other comprehensive income (loss)	218,509						218,509		218,509
Common Stock					-294,979				-294,979
Class B Common Stock					-98,822				-98,822
Conversion of Class B Common Stock into Common Stock			9						0	-9
Stock-based compensation				52,465					52,465
Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions				19,504		156,502			176,006
Repurchase of common stock	-305,564					-305,564			-305,564
Earnings of and contributions from noncontrolling interests, net								-406	-406
Total stockholders' equity at Dec. 31, 2013	1,616,052	0	299,281	664,944	5,454,286	-4,707,730	-166,567	11,218	1,616,052	60,620
Net Income	846,912				846,912				846,912
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-192,006						-192,006		-192,006
Common Stock					-328,752				-328,752
Class B Common Stock					-111,662				-111,662
Stock-based compensation				52,870					52,870
Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions				36,372		123,249			159,621
Repurchase of common stock	-576,755					-576,755			-576,755
Acquisition								49,724	49,724
Earnings of and contributions from noncontrolling interests, net								3,526	3,526
Total stockholders' equity at Dec. 31, 2014	$1,519,530	$0	$299,281	$754,186	$5,860,784	($5,161,236)	($358,573)	$64,468	$1,519,530	$60,620

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_STOC1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Common Stock
Common Stock	$0.54	$0.54	$0.49	$0.49	$0.49	$0.49	$0.42	$0.42	$2.04	$1.81	$1.56
Common Class B
Common Stock	$0.49	$0.49	$0.44	$0.44	$0.44	$0.44	$0.38	$0.38	$1.84	$1.63	$1.41

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Description of Business
	The Hershey Company together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries and entities in which it has a controlling interest,(the “Company,” “Hershey,” “we” or “us”) is a global confectionery leader known for its branded portfolio of chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. The Company has more than 80 brands worldwide including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers, which are marketed, sold and distributed in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Hershey is focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to build its competitive advantage in North America. The Company currently operates through two reportable segments that are aligned with its management structure and the key markets it serves: North America and International and Other. For additional information on our segment presentation, see Note 11.
	Basis of Presentation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Hershey Company and its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. We have a controlling financial interest if we own a majority of the outstanding voting common stock and minority shareholders do not have substantive participating rights, we have significant control through contractual or economic interests in which we are the primary beneficiary or we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is not significant and is recorded within selling, marketing and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. We use the equity method of accounting when we have a 20% to 50% interest in other companies and exercise significant influence. Net income (loss) from such investments is not significant and is also recorded in selling, marketing and administrative expense. As of December 31, 2013, equity investments included within other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $39,872. We held no equity investments at December 31, 2014. See Note 12 for additional information on our noncontrolling interests.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Our significant estimates and assumptions include, among others, pension and other post-retirement benefit plan assumptions, valuation assumptions of goodwill and other intangible assets, useful lives of long-lived assets, marketing and trade promotion accruals and income taxes. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and the effects of any revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period that they are determined. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.
	Revenue Recognition
	We record sales when all of the following criteria have been met:
	l	A valid customer order with a fixed price has been received;
	l	The product has been delivered to the customer;
	l	There is no further significant obligation to assist in the resale of the product; and
	l	Collectability is reasonably assured.
	Net sales include revenue from the sale of finished goods and royalty income, net of allowances for trade promotions, consumer coupon programs and other sales incentives, and allowances and discounts associated with aged or potentially unsaleable products. Trade promotions and sales incentives primarily include reduced price features, merchandising displays, sales growth incentives, new item allowances and cooperative advertising. Sales, use, value-added and other excise taxes are not recognized in revenue.
	Cost of Sales
	Cost of sales represents costs directly related to the manufacture and distribution of our products. Primary costs include raw materials, packaging, direct labor, overhead, shipping and handling, warehousing and the depreciation of manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facilities. Manufacturing overhead and related expenses include salaries, wages, employee benefits, utilities, maintenance and property taxes.
	Selling, Marketing and Administrative Expense
	Selling, marketing and administrative expense (“SM&A”) represents costs incurred in generating revenues and in managing our business. Such costs include advertising and other marketing expenses, selling expenses, research and development, administrative and other indirect overhead costs, amortization of capitalized software and depreciation of administrative facilities.  Research and development costs, charged to expense as incurred, totaled $47,554 in 2014, $47,636 in 2013 and $38,959 in 2012. Advertising expense, also charged to expense as incurred, totaled $570,223 in 2014, $582,354 in 2013 and $480,016 in 2012. Prepaid advertising expense was $8,193 and $8,432 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid debt instruments, time deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the carrying amount.
	Short-term Investments
	Short-term investments consist of bank term deposits that have original maturity dates ranging from greater than three months to twelve months. Short-term investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
	Accounts Receivable—Trade
	In the normal course of business, we extend credit to customers that satisfy pre-defined credit criteria, based upon the results of our recurring financial account reviews and our evaluation of current and projected economic conditions. Our primary concentrations of credit risk are associated with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and McLane Company, Inc., two customers served principally by our North America segment. McLane Company, Inc. is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the United States to convenience stores, drug stores, wholesale clubs and mass merchandisers. As of December 31, 2014, McLane Company, Inc. accounted for approximately 12.8% of our total accounts receivable. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. accounted for approximately 12.3% of our total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2014. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our year-end accounts receivable. We believe that we have little concentration of credit risk associated with the remainder of our customer base. Accounts receivable-trade in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is presented net of allowances and anticipated discounts of $15,885 and $14,329 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value, adjusted for the value of inventory that is estimated to be excess, obsolete or otherwise unsaleable. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 54% of our inventories, representing the majority of our U.S. inventories, were valued under the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. The remainder of our inventories in the U.S. and inventories for our international businesses are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost or market. LIFO cost of inventories valued using the LIFO method was $430,094 as of December 31, 2014 and $314,999 as of December 31, 2013. The net impact of LIFO acquisitions and liquidations was not material to 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows: 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment; and 25 to 40 years for buildings and related improvements. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. We capitalize applicable interest charges incurred during the construction of new facilities and production lines and amortize these costs over the assets’ estimated useful lives.
	We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We measure the recoverability of assets to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of long-lived assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated. If these assets are considered to be impaired, we measure impairment as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. We report assets held for sale or disposal at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.
	We assess asset retirement obligations on a periodic basis and recognize the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. We capitalize associated asset retirement costs as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset.
	Computer Software
	We capitalize costs associated with software developed or obtained for internal use when both the preliminary project stage is completed and it is probable the software being developed will be completed and placed in service. Capitalized costs include only (i) external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software, (ii) payroll and other related costs for employees who are directly associated with and who devote time to the internal-use software project and (iii) interest costs incurred, when material, while developing internal-use software. We cease capitalization of such costs no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose.
	The unamortized amount of capitalized software totaled $63,252 and $56,502 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We amortize software costs using the straight-line method over the expected life of the software, generally 3 to 5 years. Accumulated amortization of capitalized software was $300,698 and $277,872 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Such amounts are recorded within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	We review the carrying value of software and development costs for impairment in accordance with our policy pertaining to the impairment of long-lived assets. Generally, we measure impairment under the following circumstances:
	l	When internal-use computer software is not expected to provide substantive service potential;
	l	When a significant change occurs in the extent or manner in which the software is used or is expected to be used;
	l	When a significant change is made or will be made to the software program; and
	l	When the costs of developing or modifying internal-use computer software significantly exceed the amount originally expected to develop or modify the software.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are evaluated for impairment annually or more often if indicators of a potential impairment are present. Our annual impairment tests are conducted at the beginning of the fourth quarter. We use a two-step process to quantitatively evaluate goodwill for impairment. In the first step, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, we complete a second step to determine the amount of the goodwill impairment that we should record. In the second step, we determine an implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill by allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its assets and liabilities other than goodwill (including any unrecognized intangible assets). We compare the resulting implied fair value of the goodwill to the carrying amount and record an impairment charge for the difference. We test individual indefinite-lived intangible assets by comparing the estimated fair value with the book values of each asset.
	We determine the fair value of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets using an income approach. Under the income approach, we calculate the fair value of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes and to estimate the future cash flows used to measure fair value. Our estimates of future cash flows consider past performance, current and anticipated market conditions and internal projections and operating plans which incorporate estimates for sales growth and profitability, and cash flows associated with taxes and capital spending. Additional assumptions include forecasted growth rates, estimated discount rates, which may be risk-adjusted for the operating market of the reporting unit, and estimated royalty rates that would be charged for comparable branded licenses. We believe such assumptions also reflect current and anticipated market conditions and are consistent with those that would be used by other marketplace participants for similar valuation purposes. Such assumptions are subject to change due to changing economic and competitive conditions. See Note 3 for additional information regarding the results of our annual impairment test.
	The cost of intangible assets with finite useful lives is amortized on a straight-line basis. Our finite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of certain trademarks, customer-related intangible assets and patents obtained through business acquisitions, which are amortized over estimated useful lives of approximately 25 years, 15 years, and 5 years, respectively. When certain events or changes in operating conditions indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable, we perform an impairment assessment and may adjust the remaining useful lives.
	Currency Translation
	The financial statements of our foreign entities with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars, with the resulting translation adjustments recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while income and expense items are translated using the average exchange rates during the period.
	Derivative Instruments
	We use derivative instruments principally to offset exposure to market risks arising from changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. See Note 5 for additional information on our risk management strategy and the types of instruments we use.
	Derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair values. When we become party to a derivative instrument and intend to apply hedge accounting, we designate the instrument for financial reporting purposes as a cash flow or fair value hedge. The accounting for changes in fair value (gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether we had designated it and it qualified as part of a hedging relationship, as noted below:
	•	Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated as a cash flow hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to the extent effective and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the transaction hedged by that derivative also affects earnings.
	•	Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated as a fair value hedge, along with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the risk being hedged, are recorded in earnings, thereby reflecting in earnings the net extent to which the hedge is not effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value.
	•	Changes in the fair value of a derivative not designated as a hedging instrument are recognized in earnings in cost of sales or SM&A, consistent with the related exposure.
	For derivatives designated as hedges, we assess, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether they are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. The ineffective portion, if any, is recorded directly in earnings. In addition, if we determine that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively.
	We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes and are not a party to any instruments with leverage or prepayment features.
	Cash flows related to the derivative instruments we use to manage interest, commodity or other currency exposures are classified as operating activities.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU No. 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
	No other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year had or is expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

BUSINESS_ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVE

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure	BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
	Acquisitions
	Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for as purchases and, accordingly, the results of operations of the businesses acquired have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the respective dates of the acquisitions. The purchase price for each of the acquisitions is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
	Shanghai Golden Monkey
	On September 26, 2014 (the “Initial Acquisition”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hershey Netherlands B.V., completed the acquisition of 80% of the total outstanding shares of Shanghai Golden Monkey Food Joint Stock Co., Ltd. (“SGM”), a privately held confectionery company based in Shanghai, China operating through six production facilities located in China. The Golden Monkey product line is primarily sold in China's traditional trade channels. The business complements our position in China, and we expect to take advantage of SGM's distribution and manufacturing capabilities to expand sales of our Hershey products in the China marketplace. Our consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 included approximately $54 million generated by SGM since the date of acquisition.
	The Initial Acquisition was funded by cash consideration of $394,470, subject to working capital and net debt adjustments. As of December 31, 2014, we have recorded a receivable of $37,860, reflecting our current best estimate of the amount due from the selling SGM shareholders for the working capital and net debt adjustments. Such amount is reflected within prepaid expenses and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014.
	Hershey Netherlands B.V. has contractually agreed to purchase the remaining 20% of the outstanding shares of SGM on the one-year anniversary of the Initial Acquisition, subject to the parties obtaining government and regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other closing conditions. As such, we have recorded a liability of $100,067, reflecting the fair value of the future payment to be made to the SGM shareholders. This liability is included within accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014.
	The total purchase consideration, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired totaling $14,727, was allocated to the net assets acquired based on their respective fair values at September 26, 2014, as follows:
	In millions of dollars	Purchase Price Allocation
	Accounts receivable - trade	$	46
	Inventories	42
	Other current assets	37
	Property, plant and equipment	112
	Goodwill	235
	Distribution channel relationships	85
	Trademarks	60
	Other non-current assets	35
	Current liabilities assumed	(54		)
	Short-term debt assumed	(105		)
	Other non-current liabilities assumed, principally deferred taxes	(52		)
	Net assets acquired	$	441
	We are continuing to refine the valuations of acquired assets and liabilities and expect to finalize the purchase price allocation in 2015. Most notably, we are conducting additional procedures to assess the valuation of working capital-related balances at the acquisition date.
	Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition is attributable primarily to the value of providing an established platform to leverage our brands in the China market, as well as expected synergies and other benefits from the combined brand portfolios. The recorded goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
	Acquired distribution channel relationships and trademarks were assigned estimated useful lives of 16 years and 22 years, respectively.
	Lotte Shanghai Food Company
	In March 2014, we acquired an additional 5.9% interest in Lotte Shanghai Food Company (“LSFC”), a joint venture established in 2007 in China for the purpose of manufacturing and selling product to the venture partners. For this additional interest, we paid $5,580 in cash, increasing our ownership from 44.1% to 50%. At the same time, we also amended the LSFC shareholders' agreement resulting in our operational control over the venture. With the additional operational control, we reassessed our involvement with LSFC and concluded that we have a controlling financial interest. Therefore, we consolidated the venture as of the March 2014 acquisition date. We had previously accounted for our investment in LSFC using the equity method.
	Total consideration transferred was approximately $99,161, including the $5,580 cash consideration paid, the estimated fair value of our previously held equity interest of $43,857 and the estimated fair value of the remaining noncontrolling interest in LSFC of $49,724, which fair values were determined using a market-based approach. The fair value of the LSFC assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date was $99,449, including fixed assets of $106,253, short-term debt obligations of $13,292 and other net assets of $6,488.
	We recognized a gain of approximately $4,627 in connection with this transaction, primarily related to the remeasurement of the fair value of our equity interest immediately before the business combination. The gain is included in selling, marketing and administrative within our Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2014. Additionally, cash acquired in the transaction exceeded the $5,580 paid for the controlling interest by $10,035, resulting in a positive cash impact from the acquisition as presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The Allan Candy Company Limited
	In December 2014, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hershey Canada Inc., completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of The Allan Candy Company Limited (“Allan”) for cash consideration of approximately $27,376, subject to a working capital adjustment. Allan is headquartered in Ontario, Canada and manufactures certain non-chocolate products on behalf of Hershey, in addition to manufacturing and distributing its own branded products, principally in Canada. The preliminary purchase price allocation includes fixed assets of $10,897, goodwill of $6,996, other intangible assets of $8,092, and other net assets of $1,391. Other intangibles include customer relationships and trademarks with estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 19 years. We expect to finalize the purchase price allocation for Allan by mid-2015.
	Brookside Foods Ltd.
	In January 2012, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Brookside Foods Ltd. (“Brookside”), a privately held confectionery company based in Abbottsford, British Columbia, Canada. As part of this transaction, we acquired two production facilities located in British Columbia and Quebec. The Brookside product line is primarily sold in the U.S. and Canada in a take-home re-sealable pack type.
	Our financial statements reflect the final accounting for the Brookside acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $173,000. The purchase price allocation of the Brookside acquisition is as follows:
	In millions of dollars	Purchase Price
		Allocation
	Goodwill	$	68
	Trademarks	60
	Other intangibles	51
	Other assets, net of liabilities assumed of $18.7 million	22
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(28		)
	Purchase price	$	173
	The excess purchase price over the estimated value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets was recorded to goodwill. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
	Acquired trademarks were assigned estimated useful lives of 25 years, while other intangibles, including customer relationships, patents and covenants not to compete, were assigned estimated useful lives ranging from 6 to 17 years.
	Pro Forma Presentation
	Pro forma results of operations have not been presented for these acquisitions, as the impact on our consolidated financial statements is not material. In 2014 and 2013, we incurred net acquisition-related costs primarily related to the SGM acquisition of $13,270 and $4,072, respectively. In 2012, we incurred acquisition costs of $13,374, primarily related to the Brookside acquisition. These costs are recorded within selling, marketing and administrative costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income and primarily include third-party advisory fees; however, the 2014 costs also include net foreign currency exchange losses relating to our strategy to cap the SGM acquisition price as denominated in U.S. dollars.
	Planned Divestiture
	In December 2014, we entered into an agreement to sell the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation (“Mauna Loa”) for $38,000, subject to a working capital adjustment and customary closing conditions. The sale is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2015. As a result of the expected sale, we have recorded an estimated loss on the anticipated sale of $22,256 to reflect the disposal entity at fair value, less an estimate of the selling costs. This amount includes impairment charges totaling $18,531 to write down goodwill and the indefinite-lived trademark intangible asset, based on the valuation of these assets as implied by the agreed-upon sales price. The estimated loss on the anticipated sale is reflected within business realignment and impairment costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Mauna Loa is reported within our North America segment. Its operations are not material to our annual net sales, net income or earnings per share.
	Amounts classified as assets and liabilities held for sale at December 31, 2014 have been presented within prepaid expenses and other assets and accrued liabilities, respectively, and include the following:
	Assets held for sale
	Inventories	$	21,489
	Prepaid expenses and other	173
	Property, plant and equipment, net	12,691
	Other intangibles	12,705
		$	47,058
	Liabilities held for sale
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	3,726
	Other long-term liabilities	9,029
		$	12,755

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		North America			International and Other			Total
	Goodwill	$	552,596		$	105,553		$	658,149
	Accumulated impairment loss	(4,973		)	(65,173		)	(70,146		)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	547,623			40,380			588,003
	Acquisitions	—			—			—
	Foreign currency translation	(8,968		)	(2,474		)	(11,442		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	538,655			37,906			576,561
	Acquisitions	6,996			235,138			242,134
	Impairment charge	—			(11,400		)	(11,400		)
	Transfer to assets held for sale	(1,448		)	—			(1,448		)
	Foreign currency translation	(10,854		)	(2,038		)	(12,892		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	533,349		$	259,606		$	792,955
	As discussed in Note 1, we perform our annual impairment test of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Our goodwill is currently attributed to six reporting units. For step one of our 2014 annual test, the percentage of excess fair value over carrying value was at least 50% for each of our six tested reporting units, with the exception of our India reporting unit, whose estimated fair value approximated its carrying value. As a result and given the sensitivity of the India impairment analysis to changes in the underlying assumptions, we performed a step two analysis which indicated goodwill impairment of $11,400. Our 2014 annual test of indefinite-lived intangible assets also resulted in a $4,500 pre-tax write-down of a trademark associated with the India business. These impairment charges were recorded in the fourth quarter. We believe the impairments are largely a result of our recent decision to exit the oils portion of the business and realign our approach to regional marketing and distribution in India.
	The following table provides the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major class of intangible asset:
	December 31,	2014						2013
		Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	$	129,223		$	(7,593	)	$	66,274		$	(5,198	)
	Customer-related	138,964			(20,404		)	70,906			(26,844		)
	Patents	18,383			(11,447		)	19,278			(9,737		)
	Other	8,805			(6,090		)	9,906			(5,861		)
	Total	295,375			(45,534		)	166,364			(47,640		)
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks with indefinite lives	45,000						76,520
	Total intangible assets, net	$	294,841					$	195,244
	Total amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $11,328, $10,849 and $10,559, respectively.
	Amortization expense for the next five years, based on current intangible balances, is estimated to be as follows:
	Annual Amortization Expense	2015			2016			2017			2018			2019
	Estimated amortization expense	$	16,676		$	16,629		$	16,253		$	13,972		$	13,792

SHORT_AND_LONGTERM_DEBT

SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Short and Long-Term Debt	SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT
	Short-term Debt
	As a source of short-term financing, we utilize cash on hand and commercial paper or bank loans with an original maturity of three months or less. In October 2011, we entered into a new five-year agreement establishing an unsecured revolving credit facility to borrow up to $1.1 billion, with an option to increase borrowings by an additional $400,000 with the consent of the lenders. In November 2013, this agreement was amended to reduce the amount of borrowings available under the unsecured revolving credit facility to $1.0 billion, maintain the option to increase borrowings by an additional $400,000 with the consent of the lenders, and extend the termination date to November 2018. In November 2014, the termination date of this agreement was extended an additional year to November 2019. At December 31, 2014, we had outstanding commercial paper totaling $54,995, at a weighted average interest rate of 0.09%. We had no commercial paper borrowings at December 31, 2013.
	The unsecured committed revolving credit agreement contains a financial covenant whereby the ratio of (a) pre-tax income from operations from the most recent four fiscal quarters to (b) consolidated interest expense for the most recent four fiscal quarters may not be less than 2.0 to 1.0 at the end of each fiscal quarter. The credit agreement also contains customary representations, warranties and events of default. Payment of outstanding advances may be accelerated, at the option of the lenders, should we default in our obligation under the credit agreement. As of December 31, 2014, we complied with all customary affirmative and negative covenants and the financial covenant pertaining to our credit agreement. There were no significant compensating balance agreements that legally restricted these funds.
	In addition to the revolving credit facility, we maintain lines of credit with domestic and international commercial banks. Our credit limit in various currencies was $447,629 in 2014 and $290,336 in 2013. These lines permit us to borrow at the respective banks’ prime commercial interest rates, or lower. We had short-term foreign bank loans against these lines of credit for $329,701 in 2014 and $165,961 in 2013. Commitment fees relating to our revolving credit facility and lines of credit are not material.
	The maximum amount of short-term borrowings outstanding during 2014 was $649,195. The weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding was 3.2% as of December 31, 2014 and 1.9% as of December 31, 2013.
	Long-term Debt
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
	December 31,		2014			2013
	4.85% Notes due 2015		$	250,000		$	250,000
	5.45% Notes due 2016		250,000			250,000
	1.50% Notes due 2016		250,000			250,000
	4.125% Notes due 2020		350,000			350,000
	8.8% Debentures due 2021		100,000			100,000
	2.625% Notes due 2023		250,000			250,000
	7.2% Debentures due 2027		250,000			250,000
	Other obligations, net of unamortized debt discount		99,768			96,056
	Total long-term debt		1,799,768			1,796,056
	Less—current portion		250,805			914
	Long-term portion		$	1,548,963		$	1,795,142
	In the third quarter of 2014, we reclassified to current liabilities $250,000 in outstanding principal amount relating to our 4.85% Notes which come due in August 2015.
	In May 2012, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that registered an indeterminate amount of debt securities. In April 2013, we repaid $250,000 of 5.0% Notes due in 2013. In May 2013, we issued $250,000 of 2.625% Notes due in 2023 under this Registration Statement.
	Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows for the years ending December 31:
	2015	$	250,805
	2016	506,342
	2017	1,454
	2018	1,024
	2019	1,111
	Thereafter	1,039,032
	Our debt is principally unsecured and of equal priority. None of our debt is convertible into our Common Stock.
	Interest Expense
	Net interest expense consisted of the following:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014			2013			2012
	Long-term debt and lease obligations		$	82,105		$	84,604		$	81,203
	Short-term debt		11,672			8,654			23,084
	Capitalized interest		(6,179		)	(1,744		)	(5,778		)
	Interest expense		87,598			91,514			98,509
	Interest income		(4,066		)	(3,158		)	(2,940		)
	Interest expense, net		$	83,532		$	88,356		$	95,569

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_FAI

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Financial Instruments Disclosure	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	We are exposed to market risks arising principally from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. We use certain derivative instruments to manage these risks. These include interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk, foreign currency forward exchange contracts and options to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk, and commodities futures and options contracts to manage commodity market price risk exposures.
	We also use derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. We account for such derivatives at market value with the resulting gains and losses reflected in the income statement.
	In entering into these contracts, we have assumed the risk that might arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. We mitigate this risk by entering into exchanged-traded contracts with collateral posting requirements and/or by performing financial assessments prior to contract execution, conducting periodic evaluations of counterparty performance and maintaining a diverse portfolio of qualified counterparties. We do not expect any significant losses from counterparty defaults.
	Commodity Price Risk
	We enter into commodities futures and options contracts and other commodity derivative instruments to reduce the effect of future price fluctuations associated with the purchase of raw materials, energy requirements and transportation services. We generally hedge commodity price risks for 3- to 24-month periods. The majority of our commodity derivative instruments meet hedge accounting requirements and are designated as cash flow hedges. We account for the effective portion of mark-to-market gains and losses on commodity derivative instruments in other comprehensive income, to be recognized in cost of sales in the same period that we record the hedged raw material requirements in cost of sales. The ineffective portion of gains and losses is recorded currently in cost of sales.
	Foreign Exchange Price Risk
	We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk related to our international operations, including non-functional currency intercompany debt and other non-functional currency transactions of certain subsidiaries. Principal currencies hedged include the euro, Canadian dollar, Malaysian ringgit, Swiss franc, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, and Brazilian real. We typically utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts and options to hedge these exposures for periods ranging from 3 to 24 months. The contracts are either designated as cash flow hedges or are undesignated. The net notional amount of foreign exchange contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges was $22,725 at December 31, 2014 and $158,375 at December 31, 2013. The effective portion of the changes in fair value on these contracts is recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. The net notional amount of foreign exchange contracts that are not designated as accounting hedges was $4,144 at December 31, 2014 and $2,823 at December 31, 2013. The change in fair value on these instruments is recorded directly in cost of sales or selling, marketing and administrative expense, depending on the nature of the underlying exposure.
	Interest Rate Risk
	In order to manage interest rate exposure, from time to time we enter into interest rate swap agreements that effectively convert variable rate debt to a fixed interest rate. These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges, with gains and losses deferred in other comprehensive income to be recognized as an adjustment to interest expense in the same period that the hedged interest payments affect earnings. The notional amount of interest rate derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships was $750,000 at December 31, 2014 and $250,000 at December 31, 2013.
	We also manage our targeted mix of fixed and floating rate debt with debt issuances and by entering into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps in order to mitigate fluctuations in earnings and cash flows that may result from interest rate volatility. These swaps are designated as fair value hedges, for which the gain or loss on the derivative and the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item are recognized in current earnings as interest expense (income), net. The notional amount, interest payment and maturity date of these swaps generally match the principal, interest payment and maturity date of the related debt, and the swaps are valued using observable benchmark rates (Level 2 valuation). The notional amount of interest rate derivative instruments in fair value hedge relationships was $450,000 at December 31, 2014. We had no derivative instruments in fair value hedge relationships at December 31, 2013.
	Equity Price Risk
	We are exposed to market price changes in certain broad market indices related to our deferred compensation obligations to our employees. In the first quarter of 2014, we entered into equity swap contracts to hedge the portion of the exposure that is linked to market-level equity returns. These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes and are entered into for periods of 3 to 12 months. The change in fair value of these derivatives is recorded in selling, marketing and administrative expense, together with the change in the related liabilities. The notional amount of the contracts settled on December 31, 2014 was $26,417.
	Fair Value
	Accounting guidance on fair value measurements requires that financial assets and liabilities be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories of the fair value hierarchy:
	Level 1 – Based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.
	Level 2 – Based on observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	Level 3 – Based on unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumptions about the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	We did not have any level 3 financial assets or liabilities, nor were there any transfers between levels during the periods presented.
	The following table presents assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
	December 31,		2014								2013
			Assets (1)				Liabilities (1)				Assets (1)				Liabilities (1)
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Commodities futures and options (2)		$	—			$	9,944			$	4,306			$	129
	Foreign exchange contracts (3)		2,196				2,447				2,813				—
	Interest rate swap agreements (4)		—				29,505				22,745				—
	Cross-currency swap agreement (5)		2,016				—				—				—
			4,212				41,896				29,864				129
	Derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swap agreements (4)		1,746				—				—				—
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Deferred compensation derivatives (6)		1,074				—				—				—
	Foreign exchange contracts (3)		4,049				2,334				610				198
			5,123				2,334				610				198
	Total		$	11,081			$	44,230			$	30,474			$	327
	-1	Derivatives assets are classified on our balance sheet within prepaid expenses and other as well as other assets. Derivative liabilities are classified on our balance sheet within accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities.
	-2	The fair value of commodities futures and options contracts is based on quoted market prices and is, therefore, categorized as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2014, liabilities include the net of assets of $51,225 and liabilities of $56,840 associated with cash transfers receivable or payable on commodities futures contracts reflecting the change in quoted market prices on the last trading day for the period. The comparable amounts reflected on a net basis in liabilities at December 31, 2013 were assets of $23,780 and liabilities of $23,909. At December 31, 2014, the remaining amount reflected in liabilities related to the fair value of options contracts and other non-exchange traded derivative instruments. At December 31, 2013, the amount reflected in assets related to the fair value of options contracts.
	-3	The fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts is the difference between the contract and current market foreign currency exchange rates at the end of the period. We estimate the fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts on a quarterly basis by obtaining market quotes of spot and forward rates for contracts with similar terms, adjusted where necessary for maturity differences. These contracts are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
	-4	The fair value of interest rate swap agreements represents the difference in the present value of cash flows calculated at the contracted interest rates and at current market interest rates at the end of the period. We calculate the fair value of interest rate swap agreements quarterly based on the quoted market price for the same or similar financial instruments. Such contracts are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
	-5	The fair value of the cross-currency swap agreement is categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and is estimated based on the difference between the contract and current market foreign currency exchange rates at the end of the period.
	-6	The fair value of deferred compensation derivatives is based on quotes prices for market interest rates and a broad market equity index and is, therefore, categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
	Other Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt approximated fair value as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments.
	The estimated fair value of our long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for similar debt issues and is, therefore, classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy. The fair values and carrying values of long-term debt, including the current portion, was as follows:
					Fair Value								Carrying Value
	At December 31,				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Current portion of long-term debt				$	257,280			$	914			$	250,805			$	914
	Long-term debt				1,722,308				1,947,023				1,548,963				1,795,142
	Total				$	1,979,588			$	1,947,937			$	1,799,768			$	1,796,056
	Other Fair Value Measurements
	In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, U.S. GAAP requires that, under certain circumstances, we also record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. As discussed in Note 2, in connection with the planned Mauna Loa divestiture, we classified the net assets as held for sale as of December 31, 2014, resulting in an impairment charge of $18,531 based upon the agreed-upon sales price and related transaction costs. The loss was calculated based on Level 3 inputs and included in 2014 earnings. Also in 2014, as discussed in Note 3, in connection with our annual impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, we recorded impairment charges totaling $15,900 relating to our India business. These charges were determined by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying value. The fair value of the assets was derived using discounted cash flow analyses based on Level 3 inputs.
	Income Statement Impact of Derivative Instruments
	The effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:
			Non-designated Hedges								Cash Flow Hedges
			Gains (losses) recognized in income (a)								Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) (effective portion)								Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) (b)						Gains recognized in income (ineffective portion) (c)
			2014				2013				2014				2013				2014			2013			2014		2013
	Commodities futures and options		$	2,339			$	—			$	(11,165	)		$	84,746			$	68,500		$	(8,400	)	$	2,498	$	3,241
	Foreign exchange contracts		(1,486		)		—				2,056				4,049				3,403			2,641			—		—
	Interest rate swap agreements		—				—				(52,249		)		27,534				(4,500		)	(3,606		)	—		—
	Deferred compensation derivatives		2,983				—				—				—				—			—			—		—
	Total		$	3,836			$	—			$	(61,358	)		$	116,329			$	67,403		$	(9,365	)	$	2,498	$	3,241
	(a)	Gains recognized in income for non-designated commodities futures and options contracts were included in cost of sales. Gains (losses) recognized in income for non-designated foreign currency forward exchange contracts and deferred compensation derivatives were included in selling, marketing and administrative expenses.
	(b)	Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income were included in cost of sales for commodities futures and options contracts and for foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as hedges of purchases of inventory or other productive assets. Other gains for foreign currency forward exchange contracts were included in selling, marketing and administrative expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2014, this included $3,801 relating to unrealized gains on foreign currency forward exchange contracts that were reclassified from AOCI to selling, marketing and administrative expenses as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedge accounting because it was determined to be probable that the original forecasted transactions would not occur within the time period originally designated or the subsequent two months thereafter. Losses reclassified from AOCI into income for interest rate swap agreements were included in interest expense.
	(c)	Gains representing hedge ineffectiveness were included in cost of sales for commodities futures and options contracts.
The amount of net gains on derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency forward exchange contracts and options, commodities futures and options contracts, and other commodity derivative instruments expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months was approximately $377 after tax as of December 31, 2014. This amount was primarily associated with commodities futures contracts.
Fair Value Hedges
For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recognized a net pretax benefit to interest expense of $938 relating to our fixed-to-floating interest swap arrangements.

COMPREHENSIVE_INCOME

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income Disclosure [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	A summary of the components of comprehensive income is as follows:
	For the year ended December 31, 2014	Pre-Tax			Tax			After-Tax
		Amount			(Expense)			Amount
					Benefit
	Net income							$	846,912
	Other comprehensive loss:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(26,851	)	$	—		(26,851		)
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans	(135,361		)	50,345			(85,016		)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Losses on cash flow hedging derivatives	(61,358		)	24,281			(37,077		)
	Reclassification adjustments	(67,403		)	24,341			(43,062		)
	Total other comprehensive loss	$	(290,973	)	$	98,967		(192,006		)
	Comprehensive income							$	654,906
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	Pre-Tax			Tax			After-Tax
		Amount			(Expense)			Amount
					Benefit
	Net income							$	820,470
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(26,003	)	$	—		(26,003		)
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans	265,015			(98,612		)	166,403
	Cash flow hedges:
	Gains on cash flow hedging derivatives	116,329			(43,995		)	72,334
	Reclassification adjustments	9,365			(3,590		)	5,775
	Total other comprehensive income	$	364,706		$	(146,197	)	218,509
	Comprehensive income							$	1,038,979
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	Pre-Tax			Tax			After-Tax
		Amount			(Expense)			Amount
					Benefit
	Net income							$	660,931
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	7,714		$	—		7,714
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans	(15,159		)	5,525			(9,634		)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Losses on cash flow hedging derivatives	(543		)	(325		)	(868		)
	Reclassification adjustments	96,993			(36,950		)	60,043
	Total other comprehensive income	$	89,005		$	(31,750	)	57,255
	Comprehensive income							$	718,186
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, as shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are as follows:
	December 31,	2014			2013
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(43,681	)	$	(16,830	)
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax	(284,650		)	(199,634		)
	Cash flow hedges, net of tax	(30,242		)	49,897
	Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(358,573	)	$	(166,567	)

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES
	Our income (loss) before income taxes was as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014				2013				2012
	Domestic	$	1,320,738			$	1,252,208			$	980,176
	Foreign	(14,695		)		(889		)		35,403
	Income before income taxes	$	1,306,043			$	1,251,319			$	1,015,579
	Our provision for income taxes was as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	385,642			$	372,649			$	299,122
	State	52,331				47,980				36,187
	Foreign	2,362				2,763				5,554
	Current provision for income taxes	440,335				423,392				340,863
	Deferred:
	Federal	20,649				11,334				5,174
	State	2,725				2,212				1,897
	Foreign	(4,578		)		(6,089		)		6,714
	Deferred income tax provision	18,796				7,457				13,785
	Total provision for income taxes	$	459,131			$	430,849			$	354,648
	The increase in the federal deferred tax provision in 2014 was primarily due to higher deferred tax liabilities associated with bonus depreciation in 2014 compared with 2013. The foreign deferred tax benefit in 2014 principally reflected higher deferred tax assets related to advertising and promotion reserves.
	The income tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation of $53,497 and $48,396 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, reduced accrued income taxes on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We credited additional paid-in capital to reflect these excess income tax benefits.
	Deferred taxes reflect temporary differences between the tax basis and financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities. The significant temporary differences that comprised the deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
	December 31,	2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Post-retirement benefit obligations	$	109,973			$	101,674
	Accrued expenses and other reserves	139,492				119,387
	Stock-based compensation	46,061				47,324
	Derivative instruments	14,954				—
	Pension	24,584				—
	Lease financing obligation	18,991				19,065
	Accrued trade promotion reserves	41,332				39,234
	Net operating loss carryforwards	50,044				39,606
	Basis difference on assets held for sale	43,155				—
	Other	7,425				11,754
	Gross deferred tax assets	496,011				378,044
	Valuation allowance	(147,223		)		(87,159		)
	Total deferred tax assets	348,788				290,885
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment, net	221,389				201,224
	Acquired intangibles	85,037				64,249
	Inventories	32,157				33,885
	Derivative instruments	—				33,779
	Pension	—				8,037
	Other	9,063				1,404
	Total deferred tax liabilities	347,646				342,578
	Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$	1,142			$	(51,693	)
	Included in:
	Current deferred tax assets, net	$	100,515			$	52,511
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities, net	(99,373		)		(104,204		)
	Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$	1,142			$	(51,693	)
	We believe that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the net deferred tax assets. Changes in deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for derivative instruments reflected the tax impact on net losses as of December 31, 2014 and on net gains as of December 31, 2013. Changes in deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for pension resulted from the change in funded status of our pension plans as of December 31, 2014 compared with December 31, 2013. Additional information on income tax benefits and expenses related to components of accumulated other comprehensive loss is provided in Note 6.
	The valuation allowances as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were primarily related to temporary differences associated with advertising and promotions, U.S. capital loss carryforwards and various foreign jurisdictions' tax operating loss carryforwards.
	The following table reconciles the federal statutory income tax rate with our effective income tax rate:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014			2013			2012
	Federal statutory income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Increase (reduction) resulting from:
	State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefits	3			2.8			3.2
	Qualified production income deduction	(2.4	)		(2.6	)		(2.5	)
	Business realignment and impairment charges and gain on sale of trademark licensing rights	0.7			0.1			0.2
	International operations	(0.1	)		(0.4	)		(0.1	)
	Other, net	(1.0	)		(0.5	)		(0.9	)
	Effective income tax rate	35.2	%		34.4	%		34.9	%
	The effective income tax rate for 2014 was higher than the effective income tax rate for 2013 due to the impact of tax rates associated with business realignment activities and impairment charges. The reduction in the 2013 effective income tax rate from international operations resulted from an increase in deductions associated with certain foreign tax jurisdictions. The 2012 impact from state income taxes reflects the impact of certain state tax legislation.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
December 31,	2014				2013
Balance at beginning of year	$	103,963			$	51,520
Additions for tax positions taken during prior years	—				58,246
Reductions for tax positions taken during prior years	(71,643		)		(5,776		)
Additions for tax positions taken during the current year	8,403				5,523
Settlements	(4,643		)		—
Expiration of statutes of limitations	(3,850		)		(5,550		)
Balance at end of year	$	32,230			$	103,963
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $23,502 as of December 31, 2014 and $31,712 as of December 31, 2013.
We report accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. We recognized a net tax benefit of $9,082 in 2014, a net tax expense of $5,901 in 2013 and a net tax benefit of $5,270 in 2012 for interest and penalties. Accrued net interest and penalties were $2,638 as of December 31, 2014 and $11,718 as of December 31, 2013.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, is audited and finally resolved. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax position, we believe that our unrecognized tax benefits reflect the most likely outcome. We adjust these unrecognized tax benefits, as well as the related interest, in light of changing facts and circumstances. Settlement of any particular position could require the use of cash. Favorable resolution would be recognized as a reduction to our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution.
The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. Our major taxing jurisdictions include the United States (federal and state), Canada and Mexico. U.S., Canadian and Mexican federal audit issues typically involve the timing of deductions and transfer pricing adjustments. During the first quarter of 2013, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) commenced its audit of our U.S. income tax returns for 2009 through 2011. The audit was concluded in the second quarter of 2014. Tax examinations by various state taxing authorities could be conducted for years beginning in 2011.
We are no longer subject to Canadian federal income tax examinations by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) for years before 2007. The CRA commenced its audit of our Canadian income tax returns for 2010 through 2012 in the second quarter of 2014. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the CRA concluded its audit for 2007 through 2009 and issued a letter to us indicating proposed adjustments primarily associated with business realignment charges and transfer pricing. During the third quarter of 2014, the CRA withdrew the proposed adjustments related to business realignment charges and transfer pricing of inventory, and we paid a $2,212 assessment related to other cross-border adjustments. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the CRA concluded its audit for 2010 through 2012 and issued a letter to us indicating proposed transfer pricing adjustments. We provided notice to the U.S. Competent Authority and the CRA provided notice to the Canada Competent Authority of the likely need for their assistance to resolve the adjustments. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2014, we recorded a non-current receivable of approximately $1,568 associated with the anticipated resolution of the adjustments by the Competent Authority of each country.
We are no longer subject to Mexican federal income tax examinations by the Servicio de Administracion Tributaria (“SAT”) for years before 2009. We work with the IRS, the CRA, and the SAT to resolve proposed audit adjustments and to minimize the amount of adjustments. We do not anticipate that any potential tax adjustments will have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.
We reasonably expect reductions in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $6,407 within the next 12 months because of the expiration of statutes of limitations and settlements of tax audits.
As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $195,887 of undistributed earnings of our international subsidiaries. We intend to continue to reinvest earnings outside the United States for the foreseeable future and, therefore, have not recognized any U.S. tax expense on these earnings.

BUSINESS_REALIGNMENT_AND_IMPAI

BUSINESS REALIGNMENT AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Business Realignment and Impairment Charges	BUSINESS REALIGNMENT AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
	Business realignment and impairment charges recorded during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014		2013		2012
	Cost of sales - Next Century and other programs	$	1,622	$	402	$	36,383
	Selling, marketing and administrative - Next Century and other programs	2,947		18		2,446
	Business realignment and impairment charges:
	Next Century program:
	Pension settlement loss	—		—		15,787
	Plant closure expenses	7,465		16,387		20,780
	Employee separation costs	—		—		914
	Planned divestiture of Mauna Loa	22,256		—		—
	India impairment	15,900		—		—
	India voluntary retirement program	—		2,278		—
	Tri-US, Inc. asset impairment charges	—		—		7,457
	Total business realignment and impairment charges	45,621		18,665		44,938
	Total charges associated with business realignment initiatives	$	50,190	$	19,085	$	83,767
	Next Century Program
	In June 2010, we announced Project Next Century (the “Next Century program”) as part of our ongoing efforts to create an advantaged supply chain and competitive cost structure. As part of the program, production was transitioned from the Company's century-old facility at 19 East Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to an expanded West Hershey facility, which was built in 1992. The Next Century program is substantially complete as of December 31, 2014. Project-to-date costs totaled $197.9 million through December 31, 2014, in line with our estimates of total pre-tax charges and non-recurring project implementation costs of $190 million to $200 million.
	In 2014 and 2013, plant closure and other expenses were primarily related to costs associated with the demolition of the former manufacturing facility.
	In 2012, charges relating to the Next Century program included the following: $36,383 recorded in cost of sales related primarily to start-up costs and accelerated depreciation of fixed assets over the reduced estimated remaining useful lives; $2,446 recorded in selling, marketing and administrative expense for project administration; business realignment charges of $15,787 relating to a non-cash pension settlement loss resulting from lump sum withdrawals by employees retiring or leaving the Company, primarily in connection with the Next Century program; and $20,780 primarily related to costs associated with the closure of the former manufacturing facility and the relocation of production lines.
	Planned divestiture of Mauna Loa
	In December 2014, we entered into an agreement to sell Mauna Loa. In connection with the anticipated sale, we have recorded an estimated loss of $22,256 to reflect the disposal entity at fair value, less an estimate of the selling costs. See Note 2 for additional information.
	India impairment
	In connection with our annual goodwill and other intangible asset impairment testing, in December 2014, we recorded a non-cash goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charge of $15,900 associated with our business in India. See Note 3 for additional information.
	Other international restructuring programs
	During 2014, we implemented restructuring programs at several non-U.S. entities to rationalize select manufacturing and distribution activities, resulting in severance and accelerated depreciation costs of $4,476. These costs were recorded within cost of sales and selling, marketing and administrative expenses. We expect to incur approximately $3,700 of additional accelerated depreciation in 2015; other remaining costs relating to these programs are not expected to be significant.
	Tri-US, Inc. impairment charges
	In December 2012, the board of directors of Tri-US, Inc., a company that manufactured, marketed and sold nutritional beverages in which we held a controlling ownership interest decided to cease operations as a result of operational difficulties, quality issues and competitive constraints. It was determined that investments necessary to continue the business would not generate a sufficient return. Accordingly, in December 2012, the Company recorded non-cash asset impairment charges of $7,457, primarily associated with the write off of goodwill and other intangible assets. These charges excluded the portion of the losses attributable to the noncontrolling interests.

PENSION_AND_OTHER_POSTRETIREME

PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans	PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
	We sponsor a number of defined benefit pension plans. The primary plans are The Hershey Company Retirement Plan and The Hershey Company Retirement Plan for Hourly Employees. These are cash balance plans that provide pension benefits for most domestic employees hired prior to January 1, 2007. We also sponsor two post-retirement benefit plans: health care and life insurance. The health care plan is contributory, with participants’ contributions adjusted annually. The life insurance plan is non-contributory.
	Obligations and Funded Status
	A summary of the changes in benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of these plans is as follows:
			Pension Benefits								Other Benefits
	December 31,		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Change in benefit obligation
	Projected benefits obligation at beginning of year		$	1,120,492			$	1,237,778			$	270,937			$	318,415
	Service cost		26,935				31,339				706				1,094
	Interest cost		48,886				43,962				11,696				10,747
	Plan amendments		168				55				—				—
	Actuarial (gain) loss		134,902				(100,872		)		35,688				(33,412		)
	Curtailment		—				(8,833		)		—				—
	Settlement		—				(319		)		—				—
	Currency translation and other		(6,204		)		(5,976		)		(1,264		)		(1,030		)
	Benefits paid		(64,284		)		(76,642		)		(23,699		)		(24,877		)
	Projected benefits obligation at end of year		1,260,895				1,120,492				294,064				270,937
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		1,091,985				988,167				—				—
	Actual return on plan assets		85,921				152,976				—				—
	Employer contribution		29,409				32,336				23,699				24,877
	Settlement		—				(319		)		—				—
	Currency translation and other		(6,088		)		(4,533		)		—				—
	Benefits paid		(64,284		)		(76,642		)		(23,699		)		(24,877		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		1,136,943				1,091,985				—				—
	Funded status at end of year		$	(123,952	)		$	(28,507	)		$	(294,064	)		$	(270,937	)
	Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Other assets		$	25			$	32,533			$	—			$	—
	Accrued liabilities		(9,054		)		(10,198		)		(25,214		)		(25,477		)
	Other long-term liabilities		(114,923		)		(50,842		)		(268,850		)		(245,460		)
	Total		$	(123,952	)		$	(28,507	)		$	(294,064	)		$	(270,937	)
	Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax:
	Actuarial net (loss) gain		$	(279,625	)		$	(215,702	)		$	(7,936	)		$	13,107
	Net prior service credit (cost)		5,341				5,698				(2,430		)		(2,737		)
	Net amounts recognized in AOCI		$	(274,284	)		$	(210,004	)		$	(10,366	)		$	10,370
	The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $1,206,929 as of December 31, 2014 and $1,072,234 as of December 31, 2013.
	Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were as follows:
	December 31,		2014				2013
	Projected benefit obligation		$	1,193,151			$	76,801
	Accumulated benefit obligation		1,151,210				64,340
	Fair value of plan assets		1,071,539				15,760
	Net Periodic Benefit Cost
	The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
			Pension Benefits												Other Benefits
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012				2014				2013				2012
	Amounts recognized in net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost		$	26,935			$	31,339			$	30,823			$	706			$	1,094			$	1,172
	Interest cost		48,886				43,962				49,909				11,696				10,747				13,258
	Expected return on plan assets		(74,080		)		(73,128		)		(72,949		)		—				—				—
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		(667		)		422				731				616				618				619
	Amortization of net loss (gain)		23,360				40,397				39,723				(141		)		(73		)		(101		)
	Administrative expenses		786				692				545				89				75				120
	Curtailment credit		—				(364		)		—				—				—				—
	Settlement loss		—				18				19,676				—				—				—
	Total net periodic benefit cost		$	25,220			$	43,338			$	68,458			$	12,966			$	12,461			$	15,068
	Change in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI, pre-tax
	Actuarial net (gain) loss		$	99,136			$	(230,605	)		$	8,536			$	36,021			$	(33,165	)		$	7,952
	Prior service (credit) cost		833				(613		)		(716		)		(629		)		(632		)		(613		)
	Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss, pre-tax		$	99,969			$	(231,218	)		$	7,820			$	35,392			$	(33,797	)		$	7,339
	Net amounts recognized in periodic benefit cost and AOCI		$	125,189			$	(187,880	)		$	76,278			$	48,358			$	(21,336	)		$	22,407
	A portion of the pension settlement loss recorded in 2012, totaling $15,787, was associated with the Next Century program, as discussed in Note 8. The remaining settlement losses in 2012 were associated with one of our international businesses.
	Amounts expected to be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost during 2015 are as follows:
		Pension Plans				Post-Retirement
						Benefit Plans
Amortization of net actuarial loss	$	32,308			$	616
Amortization of prior service credit	$	(1,163	)		$	—
Assumptions
The weighted-average assumptions used in computing the benefit obligations were as follows:
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
December 31,		2014			2013			2014			2013
Discount rate		3.7	%		4.5	%		3.7	%		4.5	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels		4	%		4	%		N/A			N/A
The weighted-average assumptions used in computing net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
		Pension Benefits									Other Benefits
For the years ended December 31,		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Discount rate		4.5	%		3.7	%		4.5	%		4.5	%		3.7	%		4.5	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets		7	%		7.75	%		8	%		N/A			N/A			N/A
Rate of compensation increase		4	%		4	%		4.1	%		N/A			N/A			N/A
The Company’s discount rate assumption is determined by developing a yield curve based on high quality corporate bonds with maturities matching the plans’ expected benefit payment streams. The plans’ expected cash flows are then discounted by the resulting year-by-year spot rates.
We based the asset return assumption of 7.0% for 2014, 7.75% for 2013 and 8.0% for 2012 on current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on the plan asset categories. For 2015, we reduced the expected return on plan assets assumption to 6.3% from the 7.0% assumption used during 2014, reflecting lower expected future returns on plan assets resulting from a reduction of the pension plan asset allocation to equity securities. The historical average return over the 27 years prior to December 31, 2014, was approximately 8.7%.
For purposes of measuring our post-retirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2014, we assumed a 7.8% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits for 2015, grading down to 5.0% by 2019. Similarly, for measurement purposes as of December 31, 2013, we assumed a 8.5% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits for 2014, grading down to 5.0% by 2019. Assumed health care cost trend rates could have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the post-retirement health care plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
Impact of assumed health care cost trend rates		One-Percentage				One-Percentage
		Point Increase				Point (Decrease)
Effect on total service and interest cost components		$	164			$	(149	)
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation		4,567				(4,051		)
The valuations and assumptions reflect adoption of the Society of Actuaries updated RP-2014 mortality tables with MP-2014 generational projection scales, which we adopted as of December 31, 2014. Adoption of the updated tables did not have a significant impact on our current pension obligations or net period benefit cost since our primary plans are cash balance plans and most participants take lump-sum settlements upon retirement.
Plan Assets
We broadly diversify our pension plan assets across domestic and international common stock and fixed income asset classes. Our asset investment policies specify ranges of asset allocation percentages for each asset class. The ranges for our major domestic pension plans were as follows:
Asset Class		Target Allocation 2014
Equity securities		40	%	-	60%
Debt securities		40	%	-	60%
Cash and certain other investments		0	%	-	5%
As of December 31, 2014, actual allocations were within the specified ranges. We expect the level of volatility in pension plan asset returns to be in line with the overall volatility of the markets within each asset class.
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy (as defined in Note 5), pension plan assets at their fair values as of December 31, 2014:
	Quoted prices in active markets of identical assets				Significant other observable inputs				Significant other unobservable				Total
	(Level 1)				(Level 2)				inputs (Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,123			$	47,702			$	—			$	49,825
Equity securities:
U.S. all-cap (a)	1,034				140,948				—				141,982
U.S. large-cap (b)	91,363				—				—				91,363
U.S. small/mid-cap	37,797				—				—				37,797
International all-cap (c)	121,901				3,510				—				125,411
Global all-cap (d)	165,131				—				—				165,131
Fixed income securities:
U.S. government/agency	138,556				42,787				—				181,343
Corporate bonds (e)	144,289				41,248				—				185,537
Collateralized obligations (f)	33,753				24,305				—				58,058
International government/ corporate bonds (g)	53,205				47,291				—				100,496
Total assets at fair value	$	789,152			$	347,791			$	—			$	1,136,943
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, pension plan assets at their fair values as of December 31, 2013:
	Quoted prices in active markets of identical assets				Significant other observable inputs(Level 2)				Significant other unobservable				Total
	(Level 1)								inputs (Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	657			$	22,998			$	—			$	23,655
Equity securities:
U.S. all-cap (a)	64,949				137,385				—				202,334
U.S. large-cap (b)	144,254				—				—				144,254
U.S. small/mid-cap	33,145				—				—				33,145
International all-cap (c)	136,892				3,062				—				139,954
Global all-cap (d)	181,702				—				—				181,702
Fixed income securities:
U.S. government/agency	109,995				34,907				—				144,902
Corporate bonds (e)	57,735				34,616				—				92,351
Collateralized obligations (f)	56,016				22,350				—				78,366
International government/corporate bonds (g)	14,018				37,304				—				51,322
Total assets at fair value	$	799,363			$	292,622			$	—			$	1,091,985
(a)	This category comprises equity funds that track the Russell 3000 index.
(b)	This category comprises equity funds that track the S&P 500 and/or Russell 1000 indices.
(c)	This category comprises equity funds that track the MSCI World Ex-US index.
(d)	This category comprises equity funds that track the MSCI World index.
(e)	This category comprises fixed income funds primarily invested in investment grade bonds.
(f)	This category comprises fixed income funds primarily invested in high quality mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed obligations.
(g)	This category comprises fixed income funds invested in Canadian and other international bonds.
The fair value of the Level 1 assets was based on quoted prices in active markets for the identical assets. The fair value of the Level 2 assets was determined by management based on an assessment of valuations provided by asset management entities and was calculated by aggregating market prices for all underlying securities.
Investment objectives for our domestic plan assets are:
l	To ensure high correlation between the value of plan assets and liabilities;
l	To maintain careful control of the risk level within each asset class; and
l	To focus on a long-term return objective.
We believe that there are no significant concentrations of risk within our plan assets as of December 31, 2014. We comply with the rules and regulations promulgated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and we prohibit investments and investment strategies not allowed by ERISA. We do not permit direct purchases of our Company’s securities or the use of derivatives for the purpose of speculation. We invest the assets of non-domestic plans in compliance with laws and regulations applicable to those plans.
Cash Flows
Our policy is to fund domestic pension liabilities in accordance with the limits imposed by the ERISA, federal income tax laws and the funding requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. We fund non-domestic pension liabilities in accordance with laws and regulations applicable to those plans.
We made total contributions to the pension plans of $29,409 during 2014, including contributions of $22,000 to improve the funded status of our domestic plans. In 2013, we made total contributions of $32,336 to the pension plans. For 2015, minimum funding requirements for our pension plans are approximately $1,088 and we expect to make additional contributions of approximately $23,600 to improve the funded status of our domestic plans.
Total benefit payments expected to be paid to plan participants, including pension benefits funded from the plans and other benefits funded from Company assets, are as follows:
	Expected Benefit Payments
	2015				2016				2017				2018				2019				2020-2024
Pension Benefits	$	71,685			$	69,918			$	103,081			$	81,715			$	88,847			$	545,365
Other Benefits	25,247				24,344				22,933				21,364				19,954				83,846
Multiemployer Pension Plan
With the acquisition of Brookside Foods Ltd. in January 2012, we began participation in the Bakery and Confectionery Union and Industry Canadian Pension Fund, a trustee-managed multiemployer defined benefit pension plan. We currently have approximately 160 employees participating in the plan and contributions were not significant in 2014, 2013 or 2012. Our obligation during the term of the collective bargaining agreement is limited to remitting the required contributions to the plan.
Savings Plans
The Company sponsors several defined contribution plans to provide retirement benefits to employees. Contributions to The Hershey Company 401(k) Plan and similar plans for non-domestic employees are based on a portion of eligible pay up to a defined maximum. All matching contributions were made in cash. Expense associated with the defined contribution plans was $46,064 in 2014, $43,257 in 2013 and $39,759 in 2012.

STOCK_COMPENSATION_PLANS

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Compensation Plans	STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
	Share-based grants for compensation and incentive purposes are made pursuant to the Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (“EICP”). The EICP provides for grants of one or more of the following stock-based compensation awards to employees, non-employee directors and certain service providers upon whom the successful conduct of our business is dependent:
	l	Non-qualified stock options (“stock options”);
	l	Performance stock units (“PSUs”) and performance stock;
	l	Stock appreciation rights;
	l	Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and restricted stock; and
	l	Other stock-based awards.
	As of December 31, 2014, 68.5 million shares were authorized and approved by our stockholders for grants under the EICP. The EICP also provides for the deferral of stock-based compensation awards by participants if approved by the Compensation and Executive Organization Committee of our Board and if in accordance with an applicable deferred compensation plan of the Company. Currently, the Compensation and Executive Organization Committee has authorized the deferral of PSU and RSU awards by certain eligible employees under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan. Our Board has authorized our non-employee directors to defer any portion of their cash retainer, committee chair fees and RSUs awarded after 2007 that they elect to convert into deferred stock units under our Directors’ Compensation Plan.
	The following table summarizes our compensation costs:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
	Total compensation amount charged against income for stock compensation plans, including stock options, PSUs and RSUs		$	54,068			$	53,984			$	50,482
	Total income tax benefit recognized in Consolidated Statements of Income for share-based compensation		18,653				18,517				17,517
	Compensation costs for stock compensation plans are primarily included in selling, marketing and administrative expense.
	Stock Options
	The exercise price of each stock option awarded under the EICP equals the closing price of our Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. Each stock option has a maximum term of 10 years. Grants of stock options provide for pro-rated vesting, typically over a four year period. We recognize expense for stock options based on the straight-line method as of the grant date fair value.
	The following table summarizes our compensation costs for stock options:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
	Compensation amount charged against income for stock options		$	25,074			$	21,390			$	19,272
	A summary of the status of our Company’s stock options and changes during the last three years follows:
			2014							2013					2012
	Stock Options		Shares			Weighted-				Shares			Weighted-		Shares		Weighted-
						Average							Average				Average
						Exercise							Exercise				Exercise
						Price							Price				Price
	Outstanding at beginning of year		8,660,336			$	55.47			10,553,914			$	48.08	14,540,442		$	44.86
	Granted		1,387,580			$	105.75			1,779,109			$	81.95	2,110,945		$	60.89
	Exercised		(2,537,581	)		$	48.61			(3,315,990	)		$	45.25	(5,870,607	)	$	44.55
	Forfeited		(190,958	)		$	82.8			(356,697	)		$	64.38	(226,866	)	$	52.02
	Outstanding at end of year		7,319,377			$	66.69			8,660,336			$	55.47	10,553,914		$	48.08
	Options exercisable at year-end		3,673,726			$	51.01			4,290,416			$	46.45	5,320,775		$	45.74
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year (per share)		$21.50							$14.51					$10.60
	We use the the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted to employees. The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants during the year:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend yields		2	%		2.2	%		2.4	%
	Expected volatility		22.3	%		22.2	%		22.4	%
	Risk-free interest rates		2.1	%		1.4	%		1.5	%
	Expected lives in years		6.7			6.6			6.6
	l	“Dividend yields” means the sum of dividends declared for the four most recent quarterly periods, divided by the average price of our Common Stock for the comparable periods;
	l	“Expected volatility” means the historical volatility of our Common Stock over the expected term of each grant;
	l	“Risk-free interest rates” means the U.S. Treasury yield curve rate in effect at the time of grant for periods within the contractual life of the stock option; and
	l	“Expected lives” means the period of time that stock options granted are expected to be outstanding based primarily on historical data.
	The following table summarizes the intrinsic value of our stock options:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014		2013		2012
	Intrinsic value of options exercised		$133,948		$135,396		$130,219
	The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2014 was $258,809. The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable stock options as of December 31, 2014 was $184,477.
	As of December 31, 2014, there was $22,193 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option compensation arrangements granted under the EICP, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2014:
			Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices		Number			Weighted-		Weighted-		Number			Weighted-
			Outstanding as			Average		Average		Exercisable as of			Average
			of 12/31/14			Remaining		Exercise Price		12/31/14			Exercise Price
						Contractual
						Life in Years
	$33.40 - $51.42		2,484,189			4.6		$42.84		2,092,239			$41.23
	$51.65 - $72.44		2,031,766			5.5		$59.25		1,211,277			$58.21
	$81.73 - $106.65		2,803,422			8.4		$93.22		370,210			$82.69
	$33.40 - $106.65		7,319,377			6.3		$66.69		3,673,726			$51.01
	Performance Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units
	Under the EICP, we grant PSUs to selected executives and other key employees. Vesting is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. We grant PSUs over 3-year performance cycles. If we meet targets for financial measures at the end of the applicable 3-year performance cycle, we award a resulting number of shares of our Common Stock to the participants. For each PSU granted from 2012 through 2014, 50% of the target award was comprised of a market-based total shareholder return component and 50% of the target award was comprised of performance-based components. The performance scores for 2012 through 2014 grants of PSUs can range from 0% to 250% of the targeted amounts.
	We recognize the compensation cost associated with PSUs ratably over the 3-year term. Compensation cost is based on the grant date fair value because the grants can only be settled in shares of our Common Stock. The grant date fair value of PSUs is determined based on the Monte Carlo simulation model for the market-based total shareholder return component and the closing market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant for performance-based components.
	In 2014, 2013 and 2012, we awarded RSUs to certain executive officers and other key employees under the EICP. We also awarded RSUs quarterly to non-employee directors.
	We recognize the compensation cost associated with employee RSUs over a specified restriction period based on the grant date fair value or year-end market value of our Common Stock. We recognize expense for employee RSUs based on the straight-line method. We recognize the compensation cost associated with non-employee director RSUs ratably over the vesting period.
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
	Compensation amount charged against income for PSUs and RSUs		$	28,994			$	32,594			$	31,210
The following table sets forth information about the fair value of the PSUs and RSUs granted for potential future distribution to employees and non-employee directors. In addition, the table provides assumptions used to determine the fair value of the market-based total shareholder return component using the Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant.
For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
Units granted		331,788				395,862				503,761
Weighted-average fair value at date of grant		$	115.57			$	88.49			$	64.99
Monte Carlo simulation assumptions:
Estimated values		$	80.95			$	55.49			$	35.62
Dividend yields		1.8		%		2		%		2.5		%
Expected volatility		15.5		%		17.1		%		20		%
l	“Estimated values” means the fair value for the market-based total shareholder return component of each PSU at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model;
l	“Dividend yields” means the sum of dividends declared for the four most recent quarterly periods, divided by the average price of our Common Stock for the comparable periods;
l	“Expected volatility” means the historical volatility of our Common Stock over the expected term of each grant.
A summary of the status of our Company’s PSUs and RSUs as of December 31, 2014 and the change during 2014 follows:
Performance Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units		2014			Weighted-average grant date fair value
					for equity awards or market value for
					liability awards
Outstanding at beginning of year		1,411,399			$72.43
Granted		331,788			$115.57
Performance assumption change		(214,145	)		$91.85
Vested		(565,520	)		$63.93
Forfeited		(59,216	)		$95.86
Outstanding at end of year		904,306			$94.48
The table above excludes PSU awards for 25,462 units as of December 31, 2014 and 29,596 units as of December 31, 2013 for which the measurement date has not yet occurred for accounting purposes.
As of December 31, 2014, there was $37,341 of unrecognized compensation cost relating to non-vested PSUs and RSUs. We expect to recognize that cost over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
Intrinsic value of share-based liabilities paid, combined with the fair value of shares vested		$	57,360			$	62,582			37,329
Deferred PSUs, deferred RSUs, deferred directors’ fees and accumulated dividend amounts totaled 524,195 units as of December 31, 2014.

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	We operate under a matrix reporting structure designed to ensure continued focus on North America, coupled with an emphasis on accelerating growth in our international markets, as we transform into a more global company. Our business is organized around geographic regions and strategic business units. It is designed to enable us to build processes for repeatable success in our global markets. The Presidents of our geographic regions, along with the Senior Vice President responsible for our Global Retail and Licensing business, are accountable for delivering our annual financial plans and report into our CEO, who serves as our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), so we have defined our operating segments on a geographic basis. Our North America business currently generates over 85% of our consolidated revenue and none of our other geographic regions are individually significant, so we have historically presented our business as one reportable segment. However, given the recent growth in our international business, combined with the September 2014 acquisition of Shanghai Golden Monkey, we have elected to begin reporting our operations within two segments, North America and International and Other, to provide additional transparency into our operations outside of North America. We have defined our reportable segments as follows:
	•	North America - This segment is responsible for our chocolate and sugar confectionery market position in the United States and Canada. This includes developing and growing our business in chocolate, sugar confectionery, refreshment, pantry and food service product lines.
	•	International and Other - This segment includes all other countries where The Hershey Company currently manufactures, imports, markets, sells or distributes chocolate, sugar confectionery and other products. Currently, this includes our operations in Mexico, Brazil and Puerto Rico, as well as Europe, Africa the Middle East and Asia, primarily China, India, Korea, Japan and the Philippines; along with exports to these regions. While a minor component, this segment also includes our global retail operations, including Hershey's Chocolate World stores in Hershey, Pennsylvania, New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas, Shanghai, Niagara Falls (Ontario), Dubai, and Singapore, as well as operations associated with licensing the use of certain of the Company's trademarks and products to third parties around the world.
	For segment reporting purposes, we use “segment income” to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Segment income excludes unallocated general corporate administrative expenses, as well as business realignment and impairment charges, acquisition-related costs, the non-service related portion of pension expense and other unusual gains or losses that are not part of our measurement of segment performance. These items of our operating income are managed centrally at the corporate level and are excluded from the measure of segment income reviewed by the CODM.
	Accounting policies associated with our operating segments are generally the same as those described in Note 1.
	Certain manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and other activities supporting our global operations are integrated to maximize efficiency and productivity. As a result, assets and capital expenditures are not managed on a segment basis and are not included in the information reported to the CODM for the purpose of evaluating performance or allocating resources. We disclose depreciation and amortization that is generated by segment-specific assets, since these amounts are included within the measure of segment income reported to the CODM.
	Our segment net sales and earnings were as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,			2014				2013			2012
	Net sales:
	North America			$	6,352,729			$	6,200,118		$	5,812,639
	International and Other			1,069,039				945,961			831,613
	Total			$	7,421,768			$	7,146,079		$	6,644,252
	Segment income:
	North America			$	1,916,207			$	1,862,636		$	1,656,136
	International and Other			40,004				44,587			51,370
	Total segment income			1,956,211				1,907,223			1,707,506
	Unallocated corporate expense (1)			503,407				533,506			478,645
	Business realignment and impairment charges			50,190				19,085			83,767
	Non-service related pension			(1,834		)		10,885			20,572
	Acquisition integration costs			14,873				4,072			13,374
	Income before interest and income taxes			1,389,575				1,339,675			1,111,148
	Interest expense, net			83,532				88,356			95,569
	Income before income taxes			$	1,306,043			$	1,251,319		$	1,015,579
	-1	Includes centrally-managed (a) corporate functional costs relating to legal, treasury, finance, and human resources, (b) expenses associated with the oversight and administration of our global operations, including warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, information systems and global shared services, (c) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, and (d) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.
	Depreciation and amortization expense included within segment income presented above is as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013			2012
	North America		$	146,475			$	143,640		$	154,348
	International and Other		28,463				23,461			21,707
	Corporate		36,594				33,932			33,982
	Total		$	211,532			$	201,033		$	210,037
	Additional geographic information is as follows:
			2014				2013			2012
	Net sales:
	United States		$	5,996,564			$	5,832,070		$	5,449,877
	Other		1,425,204				1,314,009			1,194,375
	Total		$	7,421,768			$	7,146,079		$	6,644,252
	Long-lived assets:
	United States		$	1,477,455			$	1,474,155		$	1,420,548
	Other		674,446				331,190			253,523
	Total		$	2,151,901			$	1,805,345		$	1,674,071

EQUITY_AND_NONCONTROLLING_INTE

EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]
Equity and Noncontrolling Interests	EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
	We had 1,055,000,000 authorized shares of capital stock as of December 31, 2014. Of this total, 900,000,000 shares were designated as Common Stock, 150,000,000 shares were designated as Class B Stock and 5,000,000 shares were designated as Preferred Stock. Each class has a par value of one dollar per share.
	Changes in the outstanding shares of Common Stock for the past three years were as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014		2013		2012
	Shares issued	359,901,744		359,901,744		359,901,744
	Treasury shares at beginning of year	(136,007,023	)	(136,115,714	)	(134,695,826	)
	Stock repurchases:
	Repurchase programs	(2,135,268	)	—		(2,054,354	)
	Stock-based compensation programs	(3,676,513	)	(3,655,830	)	(5,598,537	)
	Stock issuances:
	Stock-based compensation programs	2,962,018		3,764,521		6,233,003
	Treasury shares at end of year	(138,856,786	)	(136,007,023	)	(136,115,714	)
	Net shares outstanding at end of year	221,044,958		223,894,721		223,786,030
	Holders of the Common Stock and the Class B Stock generally vote together without regard to class on matters submitted to stockholders, including the election of directors. The holders of Common Stock have 1 vote per share and the holders of Class B Stock have 10 votes per share. However, the Common Stock holders, voting separately as a class, are entitled to elect one-sixth of the Board. With respect to dividend rights, the Common Stock holders are entitled to cash dividends 10% higher than those declared and paid on the Class B Stock.
	Class B Stock can be converted into Common Stock on a share-for-share basis at any time. During 2014, 440 shares of Class B Stock were converted into Common Stock. During 2013, 8,600 shares were converted and during 2012, 3,225 shares were converted.
	Hershey Trust Company
	Hershey Trust Company, as trustee for the benefit of Milton Hershey School and as direct owner of investment shares, held 12,902,821 shares of our Common Stock as of December 31, 2014. As trustee for the benefit of Milton Hershey School, Hershey Trust Company held 60,612,012 shares of the Class B Stock as of December 31, 2014, and was entitled to cast approximately 80% of all of the votes entitled to be cast on matters requiring the vote of both classes of our common stock voting together. Hershey Trust Company, as trustee for the benefit of Milton Hershey School, or any successor trustee, or Milton Hershey School, as appropriate, must approve any issuance of shares of Common Stock or other action that would result in it not continuing to have voting control of our Company.
	Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries
	Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries totaled $64,468 as of December 31, 2014 and $11,218 as of December 31, 2013, with the increase primarily reflecting the 50% noncontrolling interest resulting from our March 2014 acquisition of LSFC, as discussed in Note 2.
	We also own a 51% controlling interest in Hershey do Brasil under a cooperative agreement with Pandurata Netherlands B.V. (“Bauducco”), a leading manufacturer of baked goods in Brazil whose primary brand is Bauducco. During 2014 and 2013, the Company contributed cash of $3,060 to Hershey do Brasil and Bauducco contributed $2,940 in each of these time periods.
	The share of losses pertaining to the noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries was $227 and $1,682 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These amounts are reflected in selling, marketing and administrative expenses.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	We enter into certain obligations for the purchase of raw materials. These obligations are primarily in the form of forward contracts for the purchase of raw materials from third-party brokers and dealers. These contracts minimize the effect of future price fluctuations by fixing the price of part or all of these purchase obligations. Total obligations consisted of fixed price contracts for the purchase of commodities and unpriced contracts that were valued using market prices as of December 31, 2014.
	The cost of commodities associated with the unpriced contracts is variable as market prices change over future periods. We mitigate the variability of these costs to the extent that we have entered into commodities futures contracts or other commodity derivative instruments to hedge our costs for those periods. Increases or decreases in market prices are offset by gains or losses on commodities futures contracts or other commodity derivative instruments. Taking delivery of and making payments for the specific commodities for use in the manufacture of finished goods satisfies our obligations under the forward purchase contracts. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, we satisfied these obligations by taking delivery of and making payment for the specific commodities.
	As of December 31, 2014, we had entered into purchase agreements with various suppliers. Subject to meeting our quality standards, the purchase obligations covered by these agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2014:
	In millions of dollars	2015		2016		2017		2018
	Purchase obligations	$	1,298.80	$	618.1	$	138.6	$	66.8
	We have commitments under various lease obligations. Future minimum payments under lease obligations with a remaining term in excess of one year were as follows as of December 31, 2014:
	In millions of dollars	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter
	Future minimum rental payments	$	28.2	$	13.4	$	9.6	$	3.2	$	0.9	$	0.9
	Future minimum rental payments reflect commitments under non-cancelable operating leases primarily for offices, retail stores, warehouse and distribution facilities, and certain equipment.
	In December 2013, we entered into an agreement for the construction of a new confectionery manufacturing plant in Malaysia. We incurred approximately $115 million in capital expenditures for construction of the plant in 2014 and expect to incur costs of $90 million to $110 million in 2015. The total cost of construction is expected to be approximately $265 million to $275 million. The plant is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2015.
	We have a number of facilities that contain varying amounts of asbestos in certain locations within the facilities. Our asbestos management program is compliant with current applicable regulations, which require that we handle or dispose of asbestos in a special manner if such facilities undergo major renovations or are demolished. Costs associated with the removal of asbestos related to the closure of a manufacturing facility under the Next Century program were recorded primarily in 2012 and included in business realignment and impairment charges. The costs associated with the removal of asbestos from the facility were not material. With regard to other facilities, we do not have sufficient information to estimate the fair value of any asset retirement obligations related to these facilities. We cannot specify the settlement date or range of potential settlement dates and, therefore, sufficient information is not available to apply an expected present value technique. We expect to maintain the facilities with repairs and maintenance activities that would not involve or require the removal of significant quantities of asbestos.
	Legal contingencies
	In 2007, the Competition Bureau of Canada began an inquiry into alleged violations of the Canadian Competition Act in the sale and supply of chocolate products sold in Canada between 2002 and 2008 by members of the confectionery industry, including Hershey Canada, Inc. The U.S. Department of Justice also notified the Company in 2007 that it had opened an inquiry, but has not requested any information or documents.
	Subsequently, 13 civil lawsuits were filed in Canada and 91 civil lawsuits were filed in the United States against the Company. The lawsuits were instituted on behalf of direct purchasers of our products as well as indirect purchasers that purchase our products for use or for resale. Several other chocolate and confectionery companies were named as defendants in these lawsuits as they also were the subject of investigations and/or inquiries by the government entities referenced above. The cases seek recovery for losses suffered as a result of alleged conspiracies in restraint of trade in connection with the pricing practices of the defendants.
	The Canadian civil cases were settled in 2012. Hershey Canada, Inc. reached a settlement agreement with the Competition Bureau of Canada through their Leniency Program with regard to an inquiry into alleged violations of the Canadian Competition Act in the sale and supply of chocolate products sold in Canada by members of the confectionery industry. On June 21, 2013, Hershey Canada, Inc. pleaded guilty to one count of price fixing related to communications with competitors in Canada in 2007 and paid a fine of approximately $4.0 million. Hershey Canada, Inc. had promptly reported the conduct to the Competition Bureau, cooperated fully with its investigation and did not implement the planned price increase that was the subject of the 2007 communications.
	With regard to the U.S. lawsuits, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation assigned the cases to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Plaintiffs are seeking actual and treble damages against the Company and other defendants based on an alleged overcharge for certain, or in some cases all, chocolate products sold in the U.S. between December 2002 and December 2007 and certain plaintiff groups have alleged damages that extend beyond the alleged conspiracy period. The lawsuits have been proceeding on different scheduling tracks for different groups of plaintiffs.
	On February 26, 2014, the District Court granted summary judgment to the Company in the cases brought by the direct purchaser plaintiffs that had not sought class certification as well as those that had been certified as a class. The direct purchaser plaintiffs appealed the District Court's decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (“Third Circuit”) in May 2014. The appeal remains pending before the Third Circuit.
	The remaining plaintiff groups - the putative class plaintiffs that purchased product indirectly for resale, the putative class plaintiffs that purchased product indirectly for use, and direct purchaser Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. - dismissed their cases with prejudice, subject to reinstatement if the Third Circuit were to reverse the District Court's summary judgment decision. The District Court entered judgment closing the case on April 17, 2014.
	Competition and antitrust law investigations can be lengthy and violations are subject to civil and/or criminal fines and other sanctions. Class action civil antitrust lawsuits are expensive to defend and could result in significant judgments, including in some cases, payment of treble damages and/or attorneys' fees to the successful plaintiff. Additionally, negative publicity involving these proceedings could affect our Company's brands and reputation, possibly resulting in decreased demand for our products. These possible consequences, in our opinion, are currently not expected to materially impact our financial position or liquidity, but could materially impact our results of operations and cash flows in the period in which any fines, settlements or judgments are accrued or paid, respectively.
	We have no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	We compute basic and diluted earnings per share based on the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock and Class B Stock outstanding as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014			2013			2012
	Net income	$	846,912		$	820,470		$	660,931
	Weighted-average shares—basic:
	Common stock	161,935			163,549			164,406
	Class B common stock	60,620			60,627			60,630
	Total weighted-average shares—basic	222,555			224,176			225,036
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Employee stock options	1,920			2,476			2,608
	Performance and restricted stock units	362			551			693
	Weighted-average shares—diluted	224,837			227,203			228,337
	Earnings per share—basic:
	Common stock	$3.91			$3.76			$3.01
	Class B common stock	$3.54			$3.39			$2.73
	Earnings Per Share—diluted:
	Common stock	$3.77			$3.61			$2.89
	Class B common stock	$3.52			$3.37			$2.71
	The Class B Stock is convertible into Common Stock on a share for share basis at any time. The calculation of earnings per share-diluted for the Class B Stock was performed using the two-class method and the calculation of earnings per share-diluted for the Common Stock was performed using the if-converted method.
	For the years ended December 31,	2014		2013			2012
	Stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share calculations because the effect would have been antidilutive	1,510		1,757			3,543

SUPPLEMENTAL_BALANCE_SHEET_INF

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION [Abstract]
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information	SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
	The components of certain Consolidated Balance Sheet accounts are as follows:
	December 31,	2014			2013
	Inventories:
	Raw materials	$	377,620		$	226,978
	Goods in process	63,916			79,861
	Finished goods	531,608			517,968
	Inventories at FIFO	973,144			824,807
	Adjustment to LIFO	(172,108		)	(165,266		)
	Total inventories	$	801,036		$	659,541
	Property, plant and equipment:
	Land	$	95,913		$	96,334
	Buildings	1,031,050			882,508
	Machinery and equipment	2,863,559			2,527,420
	Construction in progress	338,085			273,132
	Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,328,607			3,779,394
	Accumulated depreciation	(2,176,706		)	(1,974,049		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	2,151,901		$	1,805,345
	Other assets:
	Pension	$	25		$	32,804
	Capitalized software, net	63,252			56,502
	Income tax receivable	1,568			63,863
	Other non-current assets	77,927			139,835
	Total other assets	$	142,772		$	293,004
	Accrued liabilities:
	Payroll, compensation and benefits	$	225,439		$	245,641
	Advertising and promotion	326,647			348,966
	Due to SGM shareholders	98,884			—
	Other	162,543			105,115
	Total accrued liabilities	$	813,513		$	699,722
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Post-retirement benefits liabilities	$	268,850		$	245,460
	Pension benefits liabilities	114,923			50,842
	Other	142,230			137,766
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	526,003		$	434,068

QUARTERLY_DATA

QUARTERLY DATA	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Data [Abstract]
Quarterly Data	QUARTERLY DATA (Unaudited)
	Summary quarterly results were as follows:
	Year 2014		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Net sales		$	1,871,813	$	1,578,350	$	1,961,578	$	2,010,027
	Gross profit		871,490		717,474		860,137		887,065
	Net income		252,495		168,168		223,741		202,508
	Common stock:
	Net income per share—Basic		1.16		0.78		1.03		0.94
	Net income per share—Diluted		1.11		0.75		1		0.91
	Dividends paid per share		0.485		0.485		0.535		0.535
	Class B common stock:
	Net income per share—Basic		1.04		0.7		0.94		0.85
	Net income per share—Diluted(a)		1.03		0.7		0.94		0.85
	Dividends paid per share		0.435		0.435		0.486		0.486
	Market price—common stock:
	High		108.07		104.11		96.93		106.64
	Low		95.54		96.02		88.15		91.09
	Year 2013		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Net sales		$	1,827,426	$	1,508,514	$	1,853,886	$	1,956,253
	Gross profit		849,337		718,574		855,551		857,386
	Net income		241,906		159,504		232,985		186,075
	Common stock:
	Net income per share—Basic(a)		1.11		0.73		1.07		0.85
	Net income per share—Diluted		1.06		0.7		1.03		0.82
	Dividends paid per share		0.42		0.42		0.485		0.485
	Class B common stock:
	Net income per share—Basic		1		0.66		0.96		0.77
	Net income per share—Diluted		0.99		0.66		0.95		0.76
	Dividends paid per share		0.38		0.38		0.435		0.435
	Market price—common stock:
	High		87.53		91.25		97.69		100.9
	Low		73.51		85.25		89.17		91.04
	(a)	Quarterly income per share amounts do not total to the annual amount due to changes in weighted-average shares outstanding during the year.

SCHEDULE_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure	SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
				Additions
	Description	Balance at		Charged to		Charged		Deductions			Balance
		Beginning		Costs and		to Other Accounts		from			at End
		of Period		Expenses				Reserves			of Period
	In thousands of dollars
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	Reserves deducted in the consolidated balance sheet from the assets to which they apply (a)
	Accounts Receivable—Trade, Net	$	14,329	$	153,652	$	—	$	(152,096	)	$	15,885
	Year Ended December 31, 2013:
	Reserves deducted in the consolidated balance sheet from the assets to which they apply (a)
	Accounts Receivable—Trade, Net	$	15,246	$	154,874	$	—	$	(155,791	)	$	14,329
	Year Ended December 31, 2012:
	Reserves deducted in the consolidated balance sheet from the assets to which they apply (a)
	Accounts Receivable—Trade, Net	$	19,453	$	135,443	$	—	$	(139,650	)	$	15,246
	(a) Includes allowances for doubtful accounts and anticipated discounts.

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE1

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business
	The Hershey Company together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries and entities in which it has a controlling interest,(the “Company,” “Hershey,” “we” or “us”) is a global confectionery leader known for its branded portfolio of chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. The Company has more than 80 brands worldwide including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers, which are marketed, sold and distributed in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Hershey is focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to build its competitive advantage in North America. The Company currently operates through two reportable segments that are aligned with its management structure and the key markets it serves: North America and International and Other. For additional information on our segment presentation, see Note 11.
Basis of Accounting	Basis of Presentation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Hershey Company and its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. We have a controlling financial interest if we own a majority of the outstanding voting common stock and minority shareholders do not have substantive participating rights, we have significant control through contractual or economic interests in which we are the primary beneficiary or we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is not significant and is recorded within selling, marketing and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. We use the equity method of accounting when we have a 20% to 50% interest in other companies and exercise significant influence. Net income (loss) from such investments is not significant and is also recorded in selling, marketing and administrative expense. As of December 31, 2013, equity investments included within other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $39,872. We held no equity investments at December 31, 2014. See Note 12 for additional information on our noncontrolling interests
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Our significant estimates and assumptions include, among others, pension and other post-retirement benefit plan assumptions, valuation assumptions of goodwill and other intangible assets, useful lives of long-lived assets, marketing and trade promotion accruals and income taxes. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and the effects of any revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period that they are determined. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	We record sales when all of the following criteria have been met:
	l	A valid customer order with a fixed price has been received;
	l	The product has been delivered to the customer;
	l	There is no further significant obligation to assist in the resale of the product; and
	l	Collectability is reasonably assured.
	Net sales include revenue from the sale of finished goods and royalty income, net of allowances for trade promotions, consumer coupon programs and other sales incentives, and allowances and discounts associated with aged or potentially unsaleable products. Trade promotions and sales incentives primarily include reduced price features, merchandising displays, sales growth incentives, new item allowances and cooperative advertising. Sales, use, value-added and other excise taxes are not recognized in revenue.
Cost of Sales	Cost of Sales
	Cost of sales represents costs directly related to the manufacture and distribution of our products. Primary costs include raw materials, packaging, direct labor, overhead, shipping and handling, warehousing and the depreciation of manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facilities. Manufacturing overhead and related expenses include salaries, wages, employee benefits, utilities, maintenance and property taxes.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, Marketing and Administrative Expense
	Selling, marketing and administrative expense (“SM&A”) represents costs incurred in generating revenues and in managing our business. Such costs include advertising and other marketing expenses, selling expenses, research and development, administrative and other indirect overhead costs, amortization of capitalized software and depreciation of administrative facilities.  Research and development costs, charged to expense as incurred, totaled $47,554 in 2014, $47,636 in 2013 and $38,959 in 2012. Advertising expense, also charged to expense as incurred, totaled $570,223 in 2014, $582,354 in 2013 and $480,016 in 2012. Prepaid advertising expense was $8,193 and $8,432 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid debt instruments, time deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the carrying amount.
	Short-term Investments
	Short-term investments consist of bank term deposits that have original maturity dates ranging from greater than three months to twelve months. Short-term investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy	Accounts Receivable—Trade
	In the normal course of business, we extend credit to customers that satisfy pre-defined credit criteria, based upon the results of our recurring financial account reviews and our evaluation of current and projected economic conditions. Our primary concentrations of credit risk are associated with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and McLane Company, Inc., two customers served principally by our North America segment. McLane Company, Inc. is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the United States to convenience stores, drug stores, wholesale clubs and mass merchandisers. As of December 31, 2014, McLane Company, Inc. accounted for approximately 12.8% of our total accounts receivable. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. accounted for approximately 12.3% of our total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2014. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our year-end accounts receivable. We believe that we have little concentration of credit risk associated with the remainder of our customer base. Accounts receivable-trade in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is presented net of allowances and anticipated discounts of $15,885 and $14,329 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Inventory, Policy	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value, adjusted for the value of inventory that is estimated to be excess, obsolete or otherwise unsaleable. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 54% of our inventories, representing the majority of our U.S. inventories, were valued under the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. The remainder of our inventories in the U.S. and inventories for our international businesses are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost or market. LIFO cost of inventories valued using the LIFO method was $430,094 as of December 31, 2014 and $314,999 as of December 31, 2013. The net impact of LIFO acquisitions and liquidations was not material to 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows: 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment; and 25 to 40 years for buildings and related improvements. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. We capitalize applicable interest charges incurred during the construction of new facilities and production lines and amortize these costs over the assets’ estimated useful lives.
	We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We measure the recoverability of assets to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of long-lived assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated. If these assets are considered to be impaired, we measure impairment as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. We report assets held for sale or disposal at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.
	We assess asset retirement obligations on a periodic basis and recognize the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. We capitalize associated asset retirement costs as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset.
Computer Software	Computer Software
	We capitalize costs associated with software developed or obtained for internal use when both the preliminary project stage is completed and it is probable the software being developed will be completed and placed in service. Capitalized costs include only (i) external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software, (ii) payroll and other related costs for employees who are directly associated with and who devote time to the internal-use software project and (iii) interest costs incurred, when material, while developing internal-use software. We cease capitalization of such costs no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose.
	The unamortized amount of capitalized software totaled $63,252 and $56,502 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We amortize software costs using the straight-line method over the expected life of the software, generally 3 to 5 years. Accumulated amortization of capitalized software was $300,698 and $277,872 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Such amounts are recorded within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	We review the carrying value of software and development costs for impairment in accordance with our policy pertaining to the impairment of long-lived assets. Generally, we measure impairment under the following circumstances:
	l	When internal-use computer software is not expected to provide substantive service potential;
	l	When a significant change occurs in the extent or manner in which the software is used or is expected to be used;
	l	When a significant change is made or will be made to the software program; and
	l	When the costs of developing or modifying internal-use computer software significantly exceed the amount originally expected to develop or modify the software.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are evaluated for impairment annually or more often if indicators of a potential impairment are present. Our annual impairment tests are conducted at the beginning of the fourth quarter. We use a two-step process to quantitatively evaluate goodwill for impairment. In the first step, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, we complete a second step to determine the amount of the goodwill impairment that we should record. In the second step, we determine an implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill by allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its assets and liabilities other than goodwill (including any unrecognized intangible assets). We compare the resulting implied fair value of the goodwill to the carrying amount and record an impairment charge for the difference. We test individual indefinite-lived intangible assets by comparing the estimated fair value with the book values of each asset.
	We determine the fair value of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets using an income approach. Under the income approach, we calculate the fair value of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes and to estimate the future cash flows used to measure fair value. Our estimates of future cash flows consider past performance, current and anticipated market conditions and internal projections and operating plans which incorporate estimates for sales growth and profitability, and cash flows associated with taxes and capital spending. Additional assumptions include forecasted growth rates, estimated discount rates, which may be risk-adjusted for the operating market of the reporting unit, and estimated royalty rates that would be charged for comparable branded licenses. We believe such assumptions also reflect current and anticipated market conditions and are consistent with those that would be used by other marketplace participants for similar valuation purposes. Such assumptions are subject to change due to changing economic and competitive conditions. See Note 3 for additional information regarding the results of our annual impairment test.
	The cost of intangible assets with finite useful lives is amortized on a straight-line basis. Our finite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of certain trademarks, customer-related intangible assets and patents obtained through business acquisitions, which are amortized over estimated useful lives of approximately 25 years, 15 years, and 5 years, respectively. When certain events or changes in operating conditions indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable, we perform an impairment assessment and may adjust the remaining useful lives.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy	Currency Translation
	The financial statements of our foreign entities with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars, with the resulting translation adjustments recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while income and expense items are translated using the average exchange rates during the period.
Derivative Contracts	Derivative Instruments
	We use derivative instruments principally to offset exposure to market risks arising from changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. See Note 5 for additional information on our risk management strategy and the types of instruments we use.
	Derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair values. When we become party to a derivative instrument and intend to apply hedge accounting, we designate the instrument for financial reporting purposes as a cash flow or fair value hedge. The accounting for changes in fair value (gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether we had designated it and it qualified as part of a hedging relationship, as noted below:
	•	Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated as a cash flow hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to the extent effective and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the transaction hedged by that derivative also affects earnings.
	•	Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated as a fair value hedge, along with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the risk being hedged, are recorded in earnings, thereby reflecting in earnings the net extent to which the hedge is not effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value.
	•	Changes in the fair value of a derivative not designated as a hedging instrument are recognized in earnings in cost of sales or SM&A, consistent with the related exposure.
	For derivatives designated as hedges, we assess, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether they are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. The ineffective portion, if any, is recorded directly in earnings. In addition, if we determine that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively.
	We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes and are not a party to any instruments with leverage or prepayment features.
	Cash flows related to the derivative instruments we use to manage interest, commodity or other currency exposures are classified as operating activities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU No. 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
	No other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year had or is expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

BUSINESS_ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVE1

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition and Divestitures [Line Items]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	Amounts classified as assets and liabilities held for sale at December 31, 2014 have been presented within prepaid expenses and other assets and accrued liabilities, respectively, and include the following:
	Assets held for sale
	Inventories	$	21,489
	Prepaid expenses and other	173
	Property, plant and equipment, net	12,691
	Other intangibles	12,705
		$	47,058
	Liabilities held for sale
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	3,726
	Other long-term liabilities	9,029
		$	12,755
Shanghai Golden Monkey [Member]
Business Acquisition and Divestitures [Line Items]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, Purchase Price Allocation	The total purchase consideration, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired totaling $14,727, was allocated to the net assets acquired based on their respective fair values at September 26, 2014, as follows:
	In millions of dollars	Purchase Price Allocation
	Accounts receivable - trade	$	46
	Inventories	42
	Other current assets	37
	Property, plant and equipment	112
	Goodwill	235
	Distribution channel relationships	85
	Trademarks	60
	Other non-current assets	35
	Current liabilities assumed	(54		)
	Short-term debt assumed	(105		)
	Other non-current liabilities assumed, principally deferred taxes	(52		)
	Net assets acquired	$	441
Brookside [Member]
Business Acquisition and Divestitures [Line Items]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, Purchase Price Allocation	Our financial statements reflect the final accounting for the Brookside acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $173,000. The purchase price allocation of the Brookside acquisition is as follows:
	In millions of dollars	Purchase Price
		Allocation
	Goodwill	$	68
	Trademarks	60
	Other intangibles	51
	Other assets, net of liabilities assumed of $18.7 million	22
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(28		)
	Purchase price	$	173

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		North America			International and Other			Total
	Goodwill	$	552,596		$	105,553		$	658,149
	Accumulated impairment loss	(4,973		)	(65,173		)	(70,146		)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	547,623			40,380			588,003
	Acquisitions	—			—			—
	Foreign currency translation	(8,968		)	(2,474		)	(11,442		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	538,655			37,906			576,561
	Acquisitions	6,996			235,138			242,134
	Impairment charge	—			(11,400		)	(11,400		)
	Transfer to assets held for sale	(1,448		)	—			(1,448		)
	Foreign currency translation	(10,854		)	(2,038		)	(12,892		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	533,349		$	259,606		$	792,955
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	The following table provides the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major class of intangible asset:
	December 31,	2014						2013
		Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	$	129,223		$	(7,593	)	$	66,274		$	(5,198	)
	Customer-related	138,964			(20,404		)	70,906			(26,844		)
	Patents	18,383			(11,447		)	19,278			(9,737		)
	Other	8,805			(6,090		)	9,906			(5,861		)
	Total	295,375			(45,534		)	166,364			(47,640		)
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks with indefinite lives	45,000						76,520
	Total intangible assets, net	$	294,841					$	195,244
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	Amortization expense for the next five years, based on current intangible balances, is estimated to be as follows:
	Annual Amortization Expense	2015			2016			2017			2018			2019
	Estimated amortization expense	$	16,676		$	16,629		$	16,253		$	13,972		$	13,792

SHORT_AND_LONGTERM_DEBT_Tables

SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
	December 31,		2014			2013
	4.85% Notes due 2015		$	250,000		$	250,000
	5.45% Notes due 2016		250,000			250,000
	1.50% Notes due 2016		250,000			250,000
	4.125% Notes due 2020		350,000			350,000
	8.8% Debentures due 2021		100,000			100,000
	2.625% Notes due 2023		250,000			250,000
	7.2% Debentures due 2027		250,000			250,000
	Other obligations, net of unamortized debt discount		99,768			96,056
	Total long-term debt		1,799,768			1,796,056
	Less—current portion		250,805			914
	Long-term portion		$	1,548,963		$	1,795,142
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows for the years ending December 31:
	2015	$	250,805
	2016	506,342
	2017	1,454
	2018	1,024
	2019	1,111
	Thereafter	1,039,032
Schedule Of Net Interest Expense	Net interest expense consisted of the following:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014			2013			2012
	Long-term debt and lease obligations		$	82,105		$	84,604		$	81,203
	Short-term debt		11,672			8,654			23,084
	Capitalized interest		(6,179		)	(1,744		)	(5,778		)
	Interest expense		87,598			91,514			98,509
	Interest income		(4,066		)	(3,158		)	(2,940		)
	Interest expense, net		$	83,532		$	88,356		$	95,569

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_FAI1

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivatives instruments	The following table presents assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
	December 31,		2014								2013
			Assets (1)				Liabilities (1)				Assets (1)				Liabilities (1)
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Commodities futures and options (2)		$	—			$	9,944			$	4,306			$	129
	Foreign exchange contracts (3)		2,196				2,447				2,813				—
	Interest rate swap agreements (4)		—				29,505				22,745				—
	Cross-currency swap agreement (5)		2,016				—				—				—
			4,212				41,896				29,864				129
	Derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swap agreements (4)		1,746				—				—				—
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Deferred compensation derivatives (6)		1,074				—				—				—
	Foreign exchange contracts (3)		4,049				2,334				610				198
			5,123				2,334				610				198
	Total		$	11,081			$	44,230			$	30,474			$	327
	-1	Derivatives assets are classified on our balance sheet within prepaid expenses and other as well as other assets. Derivative liabilities are classified on our balance sheet within accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities.
	-2	The fair value of commodities futures and options contracts is based on quoted market prices and is, therefore, categorized as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2014, liabilities include the net of assets of $51,225 and liabilities of $56,840 associated with cash transfers receivable or payable on commodities futures contracts reflecting the change in quoted market prices on the last trading day for the period. The comparable amounts reflected on a net basis in liabilities at December 31, 2013 were assets of $23,780 and liabilities of $23,909. At December 31, 2014, the remaining amount reflected in liabilities related to the fair value of options contracts and other non-exchange traded derivative instruments. At December 31, 2013, the amount reflected in assets related to the fair value of options contracts.
	-3	The fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts is the difference between the contract and current market foreign currency exchange rates at the end of the period. We estimate the fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts on a quarterly basis by obtaining market quotes of spot and forward rates for contracts with similar terms, adjusted where necessary for maturity differences. These contracts are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
	-4	The fair value of interest rate swap agreements represents the difference in the present value of cash flows calculated at the contracted interest rates and at current market interest rates at the end of the period. We calculate the fair value of interest rate swap agreements quarterly based on the quoted market price for the same or similar financial instruments. Such contracts are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
	-5	The fair value of the cross-currency swap agreement is categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and is estimated based on the difference between the contract and current market foreign currency exchange rates at the end of the period.
	-6	The fair value of deferred compensation derivatives is based on quotes prices for market interest rates and a broad market equity index and is, therefore, categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Long-term Debt, including current portion	The estimated fair value of our long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for similar debt issues and is, therefore, classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy. The fair values and carrying values of long-term debt, including the current portion, was as follows:
					Fair Value								Carrying Value
	At December 31,				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Current portion of long-term debt				$	257,280			$	914			$	250,805			$	914
	Long-term debt				1,722,308				1,947,023				1,548,963				1,795,142
	Total				$	1,979,588			$	1,947,937			$	1,799,768			$	1,796,056
Effect of derivatives instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income	The effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:
			Non-designated Hedges								Cash Flow Hedges
			Gains (losses) recognized in income (a)								Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) (effective portion)								Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) (b)						Gains recognized in income (ineffective portion) (c)
			2014				2013				2014				2013				2014			2013			2014		2013
	Commodities futures and options		$	2,339			$	—			$	(11,165	)		$	84,746			$	68,500		$	(8,400	)	$	2,498	$	3,241
	Foreign exchange contracts		(1,486		)		—				2,056				4,049				3,403			2,641			—		—
	Interest rate swap agreements		—				—				(52,249		)		27,534				(4,500		)	(3,606		)	—		—
	Deferred compensation derivatives		2,983				—				—				—				—			—			—		—
	Total		$	3,836			$	—			$	(61,358	)		$	116,329			$	67,403		$	(9,365	)	$	2,498	$	3,241
	(a)	Gains recognized in income for non-designated commodities futures and options contracts were included in cost of sales. Gains (losses) recognized in income for non-designated foreign currency forward exchange contracts and deferred compensation derivatives were included in selling, marketing and administrative expenses.
	(b)	Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income were included in cost of sales for commodities futures and options contracts and for foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as hedges of purchases of inventory or other productive assets. Other gains for foreign currency forward exchange contracts were included in selling, marketing and administrative expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2014, this included $3,801 relating to unrealized gains on foreign currency forward exchange contracts that were reclassified from AOCI to selling, marketing and administrative expenses as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedge accounting because it was determined to be probable that the original forecasted transactions would not occur within the time period originally designated or the subsequent two months thereafter. Losses reclassified from AOCI into income for interest rate swap agreements were included in interest expense.
	(c)	Gains representing hedge ineffectiveness were included in cost of sales for commodities futures and options contracts.

COMPREHENSIVE_INCOME_Tables

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income Disclosure [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	A summary of the components of comprehensive income is as follows:
	For the year ended December 31, 2014	Pre-Tax			Tax			After-Tax
		Amount			(Expense)			Amount
					Benefit
	Net income							$	846,912
	Other comprehensive loss:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(26,851	)	$	—		(26,851		)
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans	(135,361		)	50,345			(85,016		)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Losses on cash flow hedging derivatives	(61,358		)	24,281			(37,077		)
	Reclassification adjustments	(67,403		)	24,341			(43,062		)
	Total other comprehensive loss	$	(290,973	)	$	98,967		(192,006		)
	Comprehensive income							$	654,906
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	Pre-Tax			Tax			After-Tax
		Amount			(Expense)			Amount
					Benefit
	Net income							$	820,470
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(26,003	)	$	—		(26,003		)
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans	265,015			(98,612		)	166,403
	Cash flow hedges:
	Gains on cash flow hedging derivatives	116,329			(43,995		)	72,334
	Reclassification adjustments	9,365			(3,590		)	5,775
	Total other comprehensive income	$	364,706		$	(146,197	)	218,509
	Comprehensive income							$	1,038,979
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	Pre-Tax			Tax			After-Tax
		Amount			(Expense)			Amount
					Benefit
	Net income							$	660,931
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	7,714		$	—		7,714
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans	(15,159		)	5,525			(9,634		)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Losses on cash flow hedging derivatives	(543		)	(325		)	(868		)
	Reclassification adjustments	96,993			(36,950		)	60,043
	Total other comprehensive income	$	89,005		$	(31,750	)	57,255
	Comprehensive income							$	718,186
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, as shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are as follows:
	December 31,	2014			2013
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(43,681	)	$	(16,830	)
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax	(284,650		)	(199,634		)
	Cash flow hedges, net of tax	(30,242		)	49,897
	Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(358,573	)	$	(166,567	)

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income/(Loss) before Income Taxes	Our income (loss) before income taxes was as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014				2013				2012
	Domestic	$	1,320,738			$	1,252,208			$	980,176
	Foreign	(14,695		)		(889		)		35,403
	Income before income taxes	$	1,306,043			$	1,251,319			$	1,015,579
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	Our provision for income taxes was as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	385,642			$	372,649			$	299,122
	State	52,331				47,980				36,187
	Foreign	2,362				2,763				5,554
	Current provision for income taxes	440,335				423,392				340,863
	Deferred:
	Federal	20,649				11,334				5,174
	State	2,725				2,212				1,897
	Foreign	(4,578		)		(6,089		)		6,714
	Deferred income tax provision	18,796				7,457				13,785
	Total provision for income taxes	$	459,131			$	430,849			$	354,648
Schedule of Deferred Tax Asset and Liabilities	Deferred taxes reflect temporary differences between the tax basis and financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities. The significant temporary differences that comprised the deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
	December 31,	2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Post-retirement benefit obligations	$	109,973			$	101,674
	Accrued expenses and other reserves	139,492				119,387
	Stock-based compensation	46,061				47,324
	Derivative instruments	14,954				—
	Pension	24,584				—
	Lease financing obligation	18,991				19,065
	Accrued trade promotion reserves	41,332				39,234
	Net operating loss carryforwards	50,044				39,606
	Basis difference on assets held for sale	43,155				—
	Other	7,425				11,754
	Gross deferred tax assets	496,011				378,044
	Valuation allowance	(147,223		)		(87,159		)
	Total deferred tax assets	348,788				290,885
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment, net	221,389				201,224
	Acquired intangibles	85,037				64,249
	Inventories	32,157				33,885
	Derivative instruments	—				33,779
	Pension	—				8,037
	Other	9,063				1,404
	Total deferred tax liabilities	347,646				342,578
	Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$	1,142			$	(51,693	)
	Included in:
	Current deferred tax assets, net	$	100,515			$	52,511
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities, net	(99,373		)		(104,204		)
	Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$	1,142			$	(51,693	)
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The following table reconciles the federal statutory income tax rate with our effective income tax rate:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014			2013			2012
	Federal statutory income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Increase (reduction) resulting from:
	State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefits	3			2.8			3.2
	Qualified production income deduction	(2.4	)		(2.6	)		(2.5	)
	Business realignment and impairment charges and gain on sale of trademark licensing rights	0.7			0.1			0.2
	International operations	(0.1	)		(0.4	)		(0.1	)
	Other, net	(1.0	)		(0.5	)		(0.9	)
	Effective income tax rate	35.2	%		34.4	%		34.9	%
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
	December 31,	2014				2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	103,963			$	51,520
	Additions for tax positions taken during prior years	—				58,246
	Reductions for tax positions taken during prior years	(71,643		)		(5,776		)
	Additions for tax positions taken during the current year	8,403				5,523
	Settlements	(4,643		)		—
	Expiration of statutes of limitations	(3,850		)		(5,550		)
	Balance at end of year	$	32,230			$	103,963

BUSINESS_REALIGNMENT_AND_IMPAI1

BUSINESS REALIGNMENT AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Business Realignment And Impairment Charges	Business realignment and impairment charges recorded during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014		2013		2012
	Cost of sales - Next Century and other programs	$	1,622	$	402	$	36,383
	Selling, marketing and administrative - Next Century and other programs	2,947		18		2,446
	Business realignment and impairment charges:
	Next Century program:
	Pension settlement loss	—		—		15,787
	Plant closure expenses	7,465		16,387		20,780
	Employee separation costs	—		—		914
	Planned divestiture of Mauna Loa	22,256		—		—
	India impairment	15,900		—		—
	India voluntary retirement program	—		2,278		—
	Tri-US, Inc. asset impairment charges	—		—		7,457
	Total business realignment and impairment charges	45,621		18,665		44,938
	Total charges associated with business realignment initiatives	$	50,190	$	19,085	$	83,767

PENSION_AND_OTHER_POSTRETIREME1

PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans	A summary of the changes in benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of these plans is as follows:
			Pension Benefits								Other Benefits
	December 31,		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Change in benefit obligation
	Projected benefits obligation at beginning of year		$	1,120,492			$	1,237,778			$	270,937			$	318,415
	Service cost		26,935				31,339				706				1,094
	Interest cost		48,886				43,962				11,696				10,747
	Plan amendments		168				55				—				—
	Actuarial (gain) loss		134,902				(100,872		)		35,688				(33,412		)
	Curtailment		—				(8,833		)		—				—
	Settlement		—				(319		)		—				—
	Currency translation and other		(6,204		)		(5,976		)		(1,264		)		(1,030		)
	Benefits paid		(64,284		)		(76,642		)		(23,699		)		(24,877		)
	Projected benefits obligation at end of year		1,260,895				1,120,492				294,064				270,937
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		1,091,985				988,167				—				—
	Actual return on plan assets		85,921				152,976				—				—
	Employer contribution		29,409				32,336				23,699				24,877
	Settlement		—				(319		)		—				—
	Currency translation and other		(6,088		)		(4,533		)		—				—
	Benefits paid		(64,284		)		(76,642		)		(23,699		)		(24,877		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		1,136,943				1,091,985				—				—
	Funded status at end of year		$	(123,952	)		$	(28,507	)		$	(294,064	)		$	(270,937	)
	Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Other assets		$	25			$	32,533			$	—			$	—
	Accrued liabilities		(9,054		)		(10,198		)		(25,214		)		(25,477		)
	Other long-term liabilities		(114,923		)		(50,842		)		(268,850		)		(245,460		)
	Total		$	(123,952	)		$	(28,507	)		$	(294,064	)		$	(270,937	)
	Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax:
	Actuarial net (loss) gain		$	(279,625	)		$	(215,702	)		$	(7,936	)		$	13,107
	Net prior service credit (cost)		5,341				5,698				(2,430		)		(2,737		)
	Net amounts recognized in AOCI		$	(274,284	)		$	(210,004	)		$	(10,366	)		$	10,370
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets	Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were as follows:
	December 31,		2014				2013
	Projected benefit obligation		$	1,193,151			$	76,801
	Accumulated benefit obligation		1,151,210				64,340
	Fair value of plan assets		1,071,539				15,760
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Not yet Recognized	The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
			Pension Benefits												Other Benefits
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012				2014				2013				2012
	Amounts recognized in net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost		$	26,935			$	31,339			$	30,823			$	706			$	1,094			$	1,172
	Interest cost		48,886				43,962				49,909				11,696				10,747				13,258
	Expected return on plan assets		(74,080		)		(73,128		)		(72,949		)		—				—				—
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		(667		)		422				731				616				618				619
	Amortization of net loss (gain)		23,360				40,397				39,723				(141		)		(73		)		(101		)
	Administrative expenses		786				692				545				89				75				120
	Curtailment credit		—				(364		)		—				—				—				—
	Settlement loss		—				18				19,676				—				—				—
	Total net periodic benefit cost		$	25,220			$	43,338			$	68,458			$	12,966			$	12,461			$	15,068
	Change in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI, pre-tax
	Actuarial net (gain) loss		$	99,136			$	(230,605	)		$	8,536			$	36,021			$	(33,165	)		$	7,952
	Prior service (credit) cost		833				(613		)		(716		)		(629		)		(632		)		(613		)
	Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss, pre-tax		$	99,969			$	(231,218	)		$	7,820			$	35,392			$	(33,797	)		$	7,339
	Net amounts recognized in periodic benefit cost and AOCI		$	125,189			$	(187,880	)		$	76,278			$	48,358			$	(21,336	)		$	22,407
Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year	Amounts expected to be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost during 2015 are as follows:
		Pension Plans				Post-Retirement
						Benefit Plans
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	$	32,308			$	616
	Amortization of prior service credit	$	(1,163	)		$	—
Schedule of Assumptions Used	The weighted-average assumptions used in computing the benefit obligations were as follows:
			Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	December 31,		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Discount rate		3.7	%		4.5	%		3.7	%		4.5	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels		4	%		4	%		N/A			N/A
	The weighted-average assumptions used in computing net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
			Pension Benefits									Other Benefits
	For the years ended December 31,		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Discount rate		4.5	%		3.7	%		4.5	%		4.5	%		3.7	%		4.5	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		7	%		7.75	%		8	%		N/A			N/A			N/A
	Rate of compensation increase		4	%		4	%		4.1	%		N/A			N/A			N/A
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates	A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
	Impact of assumed health care cost trend rates		One-Percentage				One-Percentage
			Point Increase				Point (Decrease)
	Effect on total service and interest cost components		$	164			$	(149	)
	Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation		4,567				(4,051		)
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets	The ranges for our major domestic pension plans were as follows:
	Asset Class		Target Allocation 2014
	Equity securities		40	%	-	60%
	Debt securities		40	%	-	60%
	Cash and certain other investments		0	%	-	5%
	As of December 31, 2014, actual allocations were within the specified ranges. We expect the level of volatility in pension plan asset returns to be in line with the overall volatility of the markets within each asset class.
	The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy (as defined in Note 5), pension plan assets at their fair values as of December 31, 2014:
		Quoted prices in active markets of identical assets				Significant other observable inputs				Significant other unobservable				Total
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)				inputs (Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,123			$	47,702			$	—			$	49,825
	Equity securities:
	U.S. all-cap (a)	1,034				140,948				—				141,982
	U.S. large-cap (b)	91,363				—				—				91,363
	U.S. small/mid-cap	37,797				—				—				37,797
	International all-cap (c)	121,901				3,510				—				125,411
	Global all-cap (d)	165,131				—				—				165,131
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. government/agency	138,556				42,787				—				181,343
	Corporate bonds (e)	144,289				41,248				—				185,537
	Collateralized obligations (f)	33,753				24,305				—				58,058
	International government/ corporate bonds (g)	53,205				47,291				—				100,496
	Total assets at fair value	$	789,152			$	347,791			$	—			$	1,136,943
	The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, pension plan assets at their fair values as of December 31, 2013:
		Quoted prices in active markets of identical assets				Significant other observable inputs(Level 2)				Significant other unobservable				Total
		(Level 1)								inputs (Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	657			$	22,998			$	—			$	23,655
	Equity securities:
	U.S. all-cap (a)	64,949				137,385				—				202,334
	U.S. large-cap (b)	144,254				—				—				144,254
	U.S. small/mid-cap	33,145				—				—				33,145
	International all-cap (c)	136,892				3,062				—				139,954
	Global all-cap (d)	181,702				—				—				181,702
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. government/agency	109,995				34,907				—				144,902
	Corporate bonds (e)	57,735				34,616				—				92,351
	Collateralized obligations (f)	56,016				22,350				—				78,366
	International government/corporate bonds (g)	14,018				37,304				—				51,322
	Total assets at fair value	$	799,363			$	292,622			$	—			$	1,091,985
	(a)	This category comprises equity funds that track the Russell 3000 index.
	(b)	This category comprises equity funds that track the S&P 500 and/or Russell 1000 indices.
	(c)	This category comprises equity funds that track the MSCI World Ex-US index.
	(d)	This category comprises equity funds that track the MSCI World index.
	(e)	This category comprises fixed income funds primarily invested in investment grade bonds.
	(f)	This category comprises fixed income funds primarily invested in high quality mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed obligations.
	(g)	This category comprises fixed income funds invested in Canadian and other international bonds.
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments	Total benefit payments expected to be paid to plan participants, including pension benefits funded from the plans and other benefits funded from Company assets, are as follows:
		Expected Benefit Payments
		2015				2016				2017				2018				2019				2020-2024
	Pension Benefits	$	71,685			$	69,918			$	103,081			$	81,715			$	88,847			$	545,365
	Other Benefits	25,247				24,344				22,933				21,364				19,954				83,846

STOCK_COMPENSATION_PLANS_Table

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Compensation Costs	The following table summarizes our compensation costs:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
	Total compensation amount charged against income for stock compensation plans, including stock options, PSUs and RSUs		$	54,068			$	53,984			$	50,482
	Total income tax benefit recognized in Consolidated Statements of Income for share-based compensation		18,653				18,517				17,517
Compensation Amount Charged Against Income For Stock Options	The following table summarizes our compensation costs for stock options:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
	Compensation amount charged against income for stock options		$	25,074			$	21,390			$	19,272
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	A summary of the status of our Company’s stock options and changes during the last three years follows:
			2014							2013					2012
	Stock Options		Shares			Weighted-				Shares			Weighted-		Shares		Weighted-
						Average							Average				Average
						Exercise							Exercise				Exercise
						Price							Price				Price
	Outstanding at beginning of year		8,660,336			$	55.47			10,553,914			$	48.08	14,540,442		$	44.86
	Granted		1,387,580			$	105.75			1,779,109			$	81.95	2,110,945		$	60.89
	Exercised		(2,537,581	)		$	48.61			(3,315,990	)		$	45.25	(5,870,607	)	$	44.55
	Forfeited		(190,958	)		$	82.8			(356,697	)		$	64.38	(226,866	)	$	52.02
	Outstanding at end of year		7,319,377			$	66.69			8,660,336			$	55.47	10,553,914		$	48.08
	Options exercisable at year-end		3,673,726			$	51.01			4,290,416			$	46.45	5,320,775		$	45.74
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year (per share)		$21.50							$14.51					$10.60
Fair Value of Each Stock Option Grant	We use the the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted to employees. The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants during the year:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend yields		2	%		2.2	%		2.4	%
	Expected volatility		22.3	%		22.2	%		22.4	%
	Risk-free interest rates		2.1	%		1.4	%		1.5	%
	Expected lives in years		6.7			6.6			6.6
	l	“Dividend yields” means the sum of dividends declared for the four most recent quarterly periods, divided by the average price of our Common Stock for the comparable periods;
	l	“Expected volatility” means the historical volatility of our Common Stock over the expected term of each grant;
	l	“Risk-free interest rates” means the U.S. Treasury yield curve rate in effect at the time of grant for periods within the contractual life of the stock option; and
	l	“Expected lives” means the period of time that stock options granted are expected to be outstanding based primarily on historical data.
Intrinsic Value Of Options Exercised	The following table summarizes the intrinsic value of our stock options:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014		2013		2012
	Intrinsic value of options exercised		$133,948		$135,396		$130,219
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2014:
			Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices		Number			Weighted-		Weighted-		Number			Weighted-
			Outstanding as			Average		Average		Exercisable as of			Average
			of 12/31/14			Remaining		Exercise Price		12/31/14			Exercise Price
						Contractual
						Life in Years
	$33.40 - $51.42		2,484,189			4.6		$42.84		2,092,239			$41.23
	$51.65 - $72.44		2,031,766			5.5		$59.25		1,211,277			$58.21
	$81.73 - $106.65		2,803,422			8.4		$93.22		370,210			$82.69
	$33.40 - $106.65		7,319,377			6.3		$66.69		3,673,726			$51.01
Compensation Amount Charged Against Income For Performance And Restricted Stock Units
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
	Compensation amount charged against income for PSUs and RSUs		$	28,994			$	32,594			$	31,210
Schedule Of Share Based Payment Award Market Based Total Shareholder Return Valuation Assumptions	The following table sets forth information about the fair value of the PSUs and RSUs granted for potential future distribution to employees and non-employee directors. In addition, the table provides assumptions used to determine the fair value of the market-based total shareholder return component using the Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant.
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
	Units granted		331,788				395,862				503,761
	Weighted-average fair value at date of grant		$	115.57			$	88.49			$	64.99
	Monte Carlo simulation assumptions:
	Estimated values		$	80.95			$	55.49			$	35.62
	Dividend yields		1.8		%		2		%		2.5		%
	Expected volatility		15.5		%		17.1		%		20		%
	l	“Estimated values” means the fair value for the market-based total shareholder return component of each PSU at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model;
	l	“Dividend yields” means the sum of dividends declared for the four most recent quarterly periods, divided by the average price of our Common Stock for the comparable periods;
	l	“Expected volatility” means the historical volatility of our Common Stock over the expected term of each grant.
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Performance Stock Unit and Restricted Stock Unit Activity	A summary of the status of our Company’s PSUs and RSUs as of December 31, 2014 and the change during 2014 follows:
	Performance Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units		2014			Weighted-average grant date fair value
						for equity awards or market value for
						liability awards
	Outstanding at beginning of year		1,411,399			$72.43
	Granted		331,788			$115.57
	Performance assumption change		(214,145	)		$91.85
	Vested		(565,520	)		$63.93
	Forfeited		(59,216	)		$95.86
	Outstanding at end of year		904,306			$94.48
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Intrinsic Value Of Share Based Liabilities Paid Combined With Fair Value Of Shares Vested
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013				2012
	Intrinsic value of share-based liabilities paid, combined with the fair value of shares vested		$	57,360			$	62,582			37,329

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Our segment net sales and earnings were as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,			2014				2013			2012
	Net sales:
	North America			$	6,352,729			$	6,200,118		$	5,812,639
	International and Other			1,069,039				945,961			831,613
	Total			$	7,421,768			$	7,146,079		$	6,644,252
	Segment income:
	North America			$	1,916,207			$	1,862,636		$	1,656,136
	International and Other			40,004				44,587			51,370
	Total segment income			1,956,211				1,907,223			1,707,506
	Unallocated corporate expense (1)			503,407				533,506			478,645
	Business realignment and impairment charges			50,190				19,085			83,767
	Non-service related pension			(1,834		)		10,885			20,572
	Acquisition integration costs			14,873				4,072			13,374
	Income before interest and income taxes			1,389,575				1,339,675			1,111,148
	Interest expense, net			83,532				88,356			95,569
	Income before income taxes			$	1,306,043			$	1,251,319		$	1,015,579
	-1	Includes centrally-managed (a) corporate functional costs relating to legal, treasury, finance, and human resources, (b) expenses associated with the oversight and administration of our global operations, including warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, information systems and global shared services, (c) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, and (d) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.
	Depreciation and amortization expense included within segment income presented above is as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,		2014				2013			2012
	North America		$	146,475			$	143,640		$	154,348
	International and Other		28,463				23,461			21,707
	Corporate		36,594				33,932			33,982
	Total		$	211,532			$	201,033		$	210,037
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas	Additional geographic information is as follows:
			2014				2013			2012
	Net sales:
	United States		$	5,996,564			$	5,832,070		$	5,449,877
	Other		1,425,204				1,314,009			1,194,375
	Total		$	7,421,768			$	7,146,079		$	6,644,252
	Long-lived assets:
	United States		$	1,477,455			$	1,474,155		$	1,420,548
	Other		674,446				331,190			253,523
	Total		$	2,151,901			$	1,805,345		$	1,674,071

EQUITY_AND_NONCONTROLLING_INTE1

EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock by Class	Changes in the outstanding shares of Common Stock for the past three years were as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014		2013		2012
	Shares issued	359,901,744		359,901,744		359,901,744
	Treasury shares at beginning of year	(136,007,023	)	(136,115,714	)	(134,695,826	)
	Stock repurchases:
	Repurchase programs	(2,135,268	)	—		(2,054,354	)
	Stock-based compensation programs	(3,676,513	)	(3,655,830	)	(5,598,537	)
	Stock issuances:
	Stock-based compensation programs	2,962,018		3,764,521		6,233,003
	Treasury shares at end of year	(138,856,786	)	(136,007,023	)	(136,115,714	)
	Net shares outstanding at end of year	221,044,958		223,894,721		223,786,030

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Purchase Obligations Covered by Purchase Agreements with Various Suppliers	As of December 31, 2014, we had entered into purchase agreements with various suppliers. Subject to meeting our quality standards, the purchase obligations covered by these agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2014:
	In millions of dollars	2015		2016		2017		2018
	Purchase obligations	$	1,298.80	$	618.1	$	138.6	$	66.8
Future Minimum Payments under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	We have commitments under various lease obligations. Future minimum payments under lease obligations with a remaining term in excess of one year were as follows as of December 31, 2014:
	In millions of dollars	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter
	Future minimum rental payments	$	28.2	$	13.4	$	9.6	$	3.2	$	0.9	$	0.9

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	We compute basic and diluted earnings per share based on the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock and Class B Stock outstanding as follows:
	For the years ended December 31,	2014			2013			2012
	Net income	$	846,912		$	820,470		$	660,931
	Weighted-average shares—basic:
	Common stock	161,935			163,549			164,406
	Class B common stock	60,620			60,627			60,630
	Total weighted-average shares—basic	222,555			224,176			225,036
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Employee stock options	1,920			2,476			2,608
	Performance and restricted stock units	362			551			693
	Weighted-average shares—diluted	224,837			227,203			228,337
	Earnings per share—basic:
	Common stock	$3.91			$3.76			$3.01
	Class B common stock	$3.54			$3.39			$2.73
	Earnings Per Share—diluted:
	Common stock	$3.77			$3.61			$2.89
	Class B common stock	$3.52			$3.37			$2.71
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
	For the years ended December 31,	2014		2013			2012
	Stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share calculations because the effect would have been antidilutive	1,510		1,757			3,543

SUPPLEMENTAL_BALANCE_SHEET_INF1

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION [Abstract]
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	The components of certain Consolidated Balance Sheet accounts are as follows:
	December 31,	2014			2013
	Inventories:
	Raw materials	$	377,620		$	226,978
	Goods in process	63,916			79,861
	Finished goods	531,608			517,968
	Inventories at FIFO	973,144			824,807
	Adjustment to LIFO	(172,108		)	(165,266		)
	Total inventories	$	801,036		$	659,541
	Property, plant and equipment:
	Land	$	95,913		$	96,334
	Buildings	1,031,050			882,508
	Machinery and equipment	2,863,559			2,527,420
	Construction in progress	338,085			273,132
	Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,328,607			3,779,394
	Accumulated depreciation	(2,176,706		)	(1,974,049		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	2,151,901		$	1,805,345
	Other assets:
	Pension	$	25		$	32,804
	Capitalized software, net	63,252			56,502
	Income tax receivable	1,568			63,863
	Other non-current assets	77,927			139,835
	Total other assets	$	142,772		$	293,004
	Accrued liabilities:
	Payroll, compensation and benefits	$	225,439		$	245,641
	Advertising and promotion	326,647			348,966
	Due to SGM shareholders	98,884			—
	Other	162,543			105,115
	Total accrued liabilities	$	813,513		$	699,722
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Post-retirement benefits liabilities	$	268,850		$	245,460
	Pension benefits liabilities	114,923			50,842
	Other	142,230			137,766
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	526,003		$	434,068

QUARTERLY_DATA_Tables

QUARTERLY DATA (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Data [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	Summary quarterly results were as follows:
	Year 2014		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Net sales		$	1,871,813	$	1,578,350	$	1,961,578	$	2,010,027
	Gross profit		871,490		717,474		860,137		887,065
	Net income		252,495		168,168		223,741		202,508
	Common stock:
	Net income per share—Basic		1.16		0.78		1.03		0.94
	Net income per share—Diluted		1.11		0.75		1		0.91
	Dividends paid per share		0.485		0.485		0.535		0.535
	Class B common stock:
	Net income per share—Basic		1.04		0.7		0.94		0.85
	Net income per share—Diluted(a)		1.03		0.7		0.94		0.85
	Dividends paid per share		0.435		0.435		0.486		0.486
	Market price—common stock:
	High		108.07		104.11		96.93		106.64
	Low		95.54		96.02		88.15		91.09
	Year 2013		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Net sales		$	1,827,426	$	1,508,514	$	1,853,886	$	1,956,253
	Gross profit		849,337		718,574		855,551		857,386
	Net income		241,906		159,504		232,985		186,075
	Common stock:
	Net income per share—Basic(a)		1.11		0.73		1.07		0.85
	Net income per share—Diluted		1.06		0.7		1.03		0.82
	Dividends paid per share		0.42		0.42		0.485		0.485
	Class B common stock:
	Net income per share—Basic		1		0.66		0.96		0.77
	Net income per share—Diluted		0.99		0.66		0.95		0.76
	Dividends paid per share		0.38		0.38		0.435		0.435
	Market price—common stock:
	High		87.53		91.25		97.69		100.9
	Low		73.51		85.25		89.17		91.04
	(a)	Quarterly income per share amounts do not total to the annual amount due to changes in weighted-average shares outstanding during the year.

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE2

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Brand Names Under Which Products Are Sold	80
Approximate Number Of Countries In Which Confectionery Products Are Marketed	70
Equity Method Investments	$0	$39,872
Research and Development Expense	47,554	47,636	38,959
Advertising Expense	570,223	582,354	480,016
Prepaid Advertising	8,193	8,432
Accounts Receivable Percentage Greater Than Other Individual Customer Accounts	12.80%
Percentage Of Total Accounts Receivable Accounted For By Wal-Mart	12.30%
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	15,885	14,329
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	54.00%
LIFO Inventory Amount	430,094	314,999
Capitalized Computer Software, Net	63,252	56,502
Accumulated Amortization	2,176,706	1,974,049
Patents [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years 0 months
Customer Relationships [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years 0 months
Software and Software Development Costs [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Capitalized Computer Software, Net	63,252	56,502
Accumulated Amortization	$300,698	$277,872
Trademarks [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	25 years 0 months
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years 0 months
Minimum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	25 years 0 months
Minimum [Member] | Software and Software Development Costs [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years 0 months
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years 0 months
Maximum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	40 years 0 months
Maximum [Member] | Software and Software Development Costs [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years 0 months

BUSINESS_ACQUISITIONS_Details

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 29, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$242,134,000	$0
Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries	0	0	15,791,000
Equity Method Investments	0	39,872,000			0		0
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	64,468,000	11,218,000			64,468,000		64,468,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	396,265,000	0	172,856,000
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	13,270,000	4,072,000	13,374,000
Shanghai Golden Monkey [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition				26-Sep-14
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired				80.00%
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual					54,000,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred				394,470,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset				37,860,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners				20.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred				100,067,000
Cash Acquired from Acquisition				14,727,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables				46,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory				42,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other				37,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment				112,000,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period				235,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Assets				35,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities				-54,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt				-105,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other				-52,000,000
Net assets acquired				441,000,000
Lotte Shanghai Food Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition						1-Mar-14
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred						99,161,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment						106,253,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt						-13,292,000
Net assets acquired						99,449,000
Additional Ownership Percentage Acquired						5.90%
Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries						5,580,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage						44.10%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent						50.00%
Equity Method Investments						43,857,000
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries						49,724,000
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain						4,627,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired						-10,035,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets						6,488,000
The Allan Candy Company Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition							1-Dec-14
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred							27,376,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	10,897,000				10,897,000		10,897,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period							6,996,000
Finite-Lived Acquired Intangibles	8,092,000				8,092,000		8,092,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets	1,391,000				1,391,000		1,391,000
Brookside [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition								1-Jan-12
Goodwill, Acquired During Period								68,000,000
Finite-Lived Acquired Intangibles								51,000,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired								173,000,000
Non-current deferred tax liabilities								-28,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities								18,700,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets								22,000,000
Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member] | Shanghai Golden Monkey [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Acquired Intangibles				85,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life				16 years 0 months
Trademarks [Member] | Shanghai Golden Monkey [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Acquired Intangibles				60,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life				22 years 0 months
Trademarks [Member] | Brookside [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Acquired Intangibles								$60,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life								25 years 0 months
Minimum [Member] | The Allan Candy Company Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life							3 years 0 months
Minimum [Member] | Brookside [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life								6 years 0 months
Maximum [Member] | The Allan Candy Company Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life							19 years 0 months
Maximum [Member] | Brookside [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life								17 years 0 months

BUSINESS_DIVESTITURES_Details

BUSINESS DIVESTITURES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	$22,256	$0	$0
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	15,900	0	0
Mauna Loa [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	38,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	22,256
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	18,531
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Inventory	21,489
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Prepaid and Other Assets	173
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Property, Plant and Equipment	12,691
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Intangible Assets	12,705
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets	47,058
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	3,726
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Liabilities	9,029
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities	$12,755

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross			$658,149
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss			-70,146
Goodwill	576,561	588,003
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	242,134	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	-11,400
Goodwill, Other Changes	-1,448
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-12,892	-11,442
Goodwill	792,955	576,561	588,003
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	295,375	166,364
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-45,534	-47,640
Amortization of Intangible Assets	11,328	10,849	10,559
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	16,676
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	16,629
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	16,253
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	13,972
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	13,792
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Other Intangibles	294,841	195,244
North America [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross			552,596
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss			-4,973
Goodwill	538,655	547,623
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	6,996	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Goodwill, Other Changes	-1,448
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-10,854	-8,968
Goodwill	533,349	538,655
International and Other [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross			105,553
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss			-65,173
Goodwill	37,906	40,380
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	235,138	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	-11,400
Goodwill, Other Changes	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-2,038	-2,474
Goodwill	259,606	37,906
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	4,500
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	129,223	66,274
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-7,593	-5,198
Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	138,964	70,906
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-20,404	-26,844
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	18,383	19,278
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-11,447	-9,737
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	8,805	9,906
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-6,090	-5,861
Trademarks [Member]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$45,000	$76,520

SHORTTERM_DEBT_Details

SHORT-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 24, 2019	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$1,000,000,000			$1,100,000,000
Line Of Credit Facility Increase Additional Borrowing Capacity	400,000,000			400,000,000
Commercial Paper	54,995,000		0
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Outstanding During Period	649,195,000
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.20%		1.90%
Commercial Paper [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.09%
Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	447,629,000		290,336,000
Line of Credit, Current	$329,701,000		$165,961,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date		1-Nov-19

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$1,799,768	$1,796,056
Other Long-term Debt	99,768	96,056
Current portion of long-term debt	250,805	914
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	1,548,963	1,795,142
Long-term borrowings	3,051	250,595	4,025
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	506,342
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	1,454
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	1,024
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	1,111
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	1,039,032
Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.00%
Repayments of Long-term Debt		250,000
Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	250,000	250,000
Current portion of long-term debt	250,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.85%
5.45% Notes due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	250,000	250,000
1.50% Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	250,000	250,000
Notes Due 2020 Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	350,000	350,000
Debentures due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	100,000	100,000
Notes Due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	250,000	250,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.63%
Long-term borrowings		250,000
Debentures due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$250,000	$250,000

INTEREST_EXPENSE_Details

INTEREST EXPENSE (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt and lease obligations	$82,105	$84,604	$81,203
Short-term debt	11,672	8,654	23,084
Capitalized interest	-6,179	-1,744	-5,778
Interest expense	87,598	91,514	98,509
Interest income	-4,066	-3,158	-2,940
Interest expense, net	$83,532	$88,356	$95,569

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_FAI2

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets at Fair Value	$4,212,000	$29,864,000
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Liabilities at Fair Value	41,896,000	129,000
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	5,123,000	610,000
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	2,334,000	198,000
Derivative Asset Current Commodity Last Day Activity	51,225,000	23,780,000
Derivative Liability Current Commodity Last Day Activity	56,840,000	23,909,000
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,979,588,000	1,947,937,000
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	1,548,963,000	1,795,142,000
Long-term Debt	1,799,768,000	1,796,056,000
Current portion of long-term debt	250,805,000	914,000
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	15,900,000	0	0
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	3,836,000	0
Cash Flow Hedging Derivatives
Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI)(effective portion)	-61,358,000	116,329,000
Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)	67,403,000	-9,365,000
Gains (losses) recognized in income (ineffective portion)	2,498,000	3,241,000
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months	377,000
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge	938,000
Commodity [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Minimum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge	3 months
Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge	24 months
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	0	0
Cash Flow Hedging Derivatives
Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI)(effective portion)	-52,249,000	27,534,000
Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)	-4,500,000	-3,606,000
Gains (losses) recognized in income (ineffective portion)	0	0
Equity Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Minimum Length of Time Hedged in Fair Value Hedge	3 months
Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Fair Value Hedge	12 months
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	2,983,000	0
Cash Flow Hedging Derivatives
Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI)(effective portion)	0	0
Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)	0	0
Gains (losses) recognized in income (ineffective portion)	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts and Options
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Minimum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge	3 months
Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge	24 months
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Investment Foreign Currency, Contract, Amount Purchased	22,725,000	158,375,000
Investment Foreign Currency, Contract, Foreign Currency Amount	4,144,000	2,823,000
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	-1,486,000	0
Cash Flow Hedging Derivatives
Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI)(effective portion)	2,056,000	4,049,000
Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)	3,403,000	2,641,000
Gains (losses) recognized in income (ineffective portion)	0	0
Gain on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring	3,801,000
Commodities Futures and Options Contracts
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	2,339,000	0
Cash Flow Hedging Derivatives
Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI)(effective portion)	-11,165,000	84,746,000
Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)	68,500,000	-8,400,000
Gains (losses) recognized in income (ineffective portion)	2,498,000	3,241,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commodity [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets at Fair Value	0	4,306,000
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Liabilities at Fair Value	9,944,000	129,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Agreements
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value Hedge Assets	1,746,000	0
Fair Value Hedge Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Equity Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	1,074,000	0
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts and Options
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets at Fair Value	2,196,000	2,813,000
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Liabilities at Fair Value	2,447,000	0
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	4,049,000	610,000
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	2,334,000	198,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Currency Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets at Fair Value	2,016,000	0
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Liabilities at Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets at Fair Value	0	22,745,000
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Liabilities at Fair Value	29,505,000	0
Liability [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	44,230,000	327,000
Assets [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	11,081,000	30,474,000
Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,722,308,000	1,947,023,000
Long-term Debt, Current Portion [Member]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	257,280,000	914,000
Mauna Loa [Member]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	18,531,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Agreements
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	750,000,000	250,000,000
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Agreements
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	450,000,000	0
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Equity Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$26,417,000

COMPREHENSIVE_INCOME_Details

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other comprehensive income (loss) Pre-Tax Amount:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									($26,851)	($26,003)	$7,714
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans									-135,361	265,015	-15,159
Cash Flow Hedges:
Gains (Losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives									-61,358	116,329	-543
Reclassification adjustments									-67,403	9,365	96,993
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									-290,973	364,706	89,005
Other comprehensive income (loss) Tax (Expense) Benefit:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans									50,345	-98,612	5,525
Cash Flow Hedges:
Gains (Losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives									24,281	-43,995	-325
Reclassification adjustments									24,341	-3,590	-36,950
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									98,967	-146,197	-31,750
Comprehensive income (loss) After-Tax Amount:
Net Income	202,508	223,741	168,168	252,495	186,075	232,985	159,504	241,906	846,912	820,470	660,931
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) After-Tax Amount:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									-26,851	-26,003	7,714
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans									-85,016	166,403	-9,634
Cash Flow Hedges:
Gains (Losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives									-37,077	72,334	-868
Reclassification adjustments									-43,062	5,775	60,043
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									-192,006	218,509	57,255
Comprehensive Income									654,906	1,038,979	718,186
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Abstract
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-43,681				-16,830				-43,681	-16,830
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax	-284,650				-199,634				-284,650	-199,634
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	-30,242				49,897				-30,242	49,897
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	($358,573)				($166,567)				($358,573)	($166,567)

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	$53,497	$48,396
Domestic	1,320,738	1,252,208	980,176
Foreign	-14,695	-889	35,403
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Current Federal	385,642	372,649	299,122
Current State	52,331	47,980	36,187
Current Foreign	2,362	2,763	5,554
Current Provision for Income Taxes	440,335	423,392	340,863
Deferred Federal	20,649	11,334	5,174
Deferred State	2,725	2,212	1,897
Deferred Foreign	-4,578	-6,089	6,714
Deferred Income Tax Provision (Benefit)	18,796	7,457	13,785
Total provision for income taxes	459,131	430,849	354,648
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Post-retirement benefit obligations	109,973	101,674
Accrued expenses and other reserves	139,492	119,387
Stock-based compensation	46,061	47,324
Derivative instruments	14,954	0
Pension	24,584	0
Lease financing obligation	18,991	19,065
Accrued trade promotion reserves	41,332	39,234
Net operating loss carryforwards	50,044	39,606
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Deferred Tax Assets	43,155	0
Other	7,425	11,754
Gross deferred tax assets	496,011	378,044
Valuation Allowance	-147,223	-87,159
Total deferred tax assets	348,788	290,885
Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, net	221,389	201,224
Acquired intangibles	85,037	64,249
Inventories	32,157	33,885
Derivatives instruments	0	33,779
Pension	0	8,037
Other	9,063	1,404
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	347,646	342,578
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Current deferred tax assets, net	100,515	52,511
Non- current deferred tax liabilities, net	-99,373	-104,204
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	1,142	-51,693
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefits	3.00%	2.80%	3.20%
Qualified production income deduction	-2.40%	-2.60%	-2.50%
Business realignment and impairment charges and gain on sale of trademark licensing rights	0.70%	0.10%	0.20%
International operations	-0.10%	-0.40%	-0.10%
Other, net	-1.00%	-0.50%	-0.90%
Effective Income Tax Rate	35.20%	34.40%	34.90%
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at the Beginning of the Year	103,963	51,520
Additions for tax positions taken during prior years	0	58,246
Reductions for tax positions taken during prior years	-71,643	-5,776
Additions for tax positions taken during the current year	8,403	5,523
Settlements	-4,643	0
Expiration of Statute of Limitations	-3,850	-5,550
Balance at the End of the Year	32,230	103,963	51,520
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	23,502	31,712
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	-9,082	5,901	-5,270
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	2,638	11,718
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	2,212
Income Taxes Receivable, Noncurrent	1,568	63,863
Reduction in liability for unrecognized tax benefits	6,407
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	195,887
Income before income taxes	$1,306,043	$1,251,319	$1,015,579

BUSINESS_REALIGNMENT_AND_IMPAI2

BUSINESS REALIGNMENT AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Realignment And Impairment Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges	$39,988,000	$0	$38,144,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	22,256,000	0	0
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	15,900,000	0	0
Business realignment and impairment charges	45,621,000	18,665,000	44,938,000
Total net charges associated with business realignment initiatives and impairment	50,190,000	19,085,000	83,767,000
Next Century Program [Member]
Business Realignment And Impairment Charges [Line Items]
Pension settlement loss	0	0	15,787,000
Plant closure expenses	7,465,000	16,387,000	20,780,000
Employee separation costs	0	0	914,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	197,900,000
Estimated Next Century pretax and nonrecurring project implementation costs, minimum	190,000,000
Estimated Next Century pretax and nonrecurring project implementation costs, maximum	200,000,000
International Restructuring Programs [Member]
Business Realignment And Impairment Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges	4,476,000
Tri-US, Inc. [Member]
Business Realignment And Impairment Charges [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	0	0	7,457,000
Hershey India [Member]
Business Realignment And Impairment Charges [Line Items]
Employee separation costs	0	2,278,000	0
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Business Realignment And Impairment Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Accelerated Depreciation				3,700,000
Cost of Sales [Member] | Next Century Program [Member]
Business Realignment And Impairment Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges	1,622,000	402,000	36,383,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Next Century Program [Member]
Business Realignment And Impairment Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges	$2,947,000	$18,000	$2,446,000

PENSION_AND_OTHER_POSTRETIREME2

PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlement Loss Amount Associated to Business Realignment Initiatives			15787000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$1,206,929	$1,072,234
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	1,091,985
Employer Contributions	29,409	32,336
Defined Benefit Plan, Voluntary Employer Contributions	22,000
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	1,136,943	1,091,985
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets for Plan Benefits, Noncurrent	25	32,804
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), after Tax [Abstract]
Total	284,650	199,634
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Projected Benefit Obligation	1,193,151	76,801
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	1,151,210	64,340
Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,071,539	15,760
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	135,361	-265,015	15,159
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Service and Interest Cost Components	164
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Postretirement Benefit Obligation	4,567
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Postretirement Benefit Obligation	-4,051
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Service and Interest Cost Components	-149
Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	46,064	43,257	39,759
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	789,152	799,363
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	347,791	292,622
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	23,655
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	49,825
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Maximum	5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Minimum	0.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	2,123	657
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	47,702	22,998
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Maximum	60.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Minimum	40.00%
U.S. all-cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	141,982	202,334
U.S. all-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	1,034	64,949
U.S. all-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	140,948	137,385
U.S. all-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
U.S. large-cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	91,363	144,254
U.S. large-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	91,363	144,254
U.S. large-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
U.S. large-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
U.S. small/mid cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	37,797	33,145
U.S. small/mid cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	37,797	33,145
U.S. small/mid cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
U.S. small/mid cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
International all-cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	125,411	139,954
International all-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	121,901	136,892
International all-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	3,510	3,062
International all-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
Global all-cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	165,131	181,702
Global all-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	165,131	181,702
Global all-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
Global all-cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Maximum	60.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Minimum	40.00%
U.S. government/agency [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	181,343	144,902
U.S. government/agency [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	138,556	109,995
U.S. government/agency [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	42,787	34,907
U.S. government/agency [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
Corporate bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	185,537	92,351
Corporate bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	144,289	57,735
Corporate bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	41,248	34,616
Corporate bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
Collateralized obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	58,058	78,366
Collateralized obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	33,753	56,016
Collateralized obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	24,305	22,350
Collateralized obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
International government/corporate bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	100,496	51,322
International government/corporate bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	53,205	14,018
International government/corporate bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	47,291	37,304
International government/corporate bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Historic Geometric Average Return On Plan Assets Over Prior 26 Years	8.70%
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Projected Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year	1,120,492	1,237,778
Service cost	26,935	31,339	30,823
Interest cost	48,886	43,962	49,909
Plan Amendments	168	55
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)	134,902	-100,872
Curtailments	0	-8,833
Settlement	0	-319
Currency Translation and Other	-6,204	-5,976
Benefits Paid	-64,284	-76,642
Projected Benefit Obligation at End of Year	1,260,895	1,120,492	1,237,778
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	1,091,985	988,167
Actual Return on Plan Assets	85,921	152,976
Employer Contributions	29,409	32,336
Settlement	0	-319
Currency Translation and Other	-6,088	-4,533
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	1,136,943	1,091,985	988,167
Funded Status at End of Year	-123,952	-28,507
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets for Plan Benefits, Noncurrent	25	32,533
Accrued Liabilities	-9,054	-10,198
Other Long-Term Liabilities	-114,923	-50,842
Total	-123,952	-28,507
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), after Tax [Abstract]
Actuarial Net (Loss)	-279,625	-215,702
Net Prior Service Credit (Cost)	5,341	5,698
Total	-274,284	-210,004
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Expected return on plan assets	-74,080	-73,128	-72,949
Amortization of prior service cost	-667	422	731
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	23,360	40,397	39,723
Administrative expenses	786	692	545
Curtailment credit	0	-364	0
Settlement loss	0	18	19,676
Total amount reflected in earnings	25,220	43,338	68,458
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Actuarial Net Loss (Gain)	99,136	-230,605	8,536
Total Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Income)	833	-613	-716
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	99,969	-231,218	7,820
Total Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost In Income And Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	125,189	-187,880	76,278
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Loss	32,308
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service (Credit)	-1,163
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount Rate	3.70%	4.50%
Rate of Compensation Increase	4.00%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount Rate	4.50%	3.70%	4.50%
Expected Long-term Return on Assets	7.00%	7.75%	8.00%
Rate of Compensation Increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.10%
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	71,685
2016	69,918
2017	103,081
2018	81,715
2019	88,847
2020-2024	545,365
Other Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Projected Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year	270,937	318,415
Service cost	706	1,094	1,172
Interest cost	11,696	10,747	13,258
Plan Amendments	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)	35,688	-33,412
Curtailments	0	0
Settlement	0	0
Currency Translation and Other	-1,264	-1,030
Benefits Paid	-23,699	-24,877
Projected Benefit Obligation at End of Year	294,064	270,937	318,415
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	0	0
Actual Return on Plan Assets	0	0
Employer Contributions	23,699	24,877
Settlement	0	0
Currency Translation and Other	0	0
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0	0
Funded Status at End of Year	-294,064	-270,937
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets for Plan Benefits, Noncurrent	0	0
Accrued Liabilities	-25,214	-25,477
Other Long-Term Liabilities	-268,850	-245,460
Total	-294,064	-270,937
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), after Tax [Abstract]
Actuarial Net (Loss)	-7,936	13,107
Net Prior Service Credit (Cost)	-2,430	-2,737
Total	-10,366	10,370
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost	616	618	619
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	-141	-73	-101
Administrative expenses	89	75	120
Curtailment credit	0	0	0
Settlement loss	0	0	0
Total amount reflected in earnings	12,966	12,461	15,068
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Actuarial Net Loss (Gain)	36,021	-33,165	7,952
Total Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Income)	-629	-632	-613
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	35,392	-33,797	7,339
Total Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost In Income And Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	48,358	-21,336	22,407
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Loss	616
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service (Credit)	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount Rate	3.70%	4.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount Rate	4.50%	3.70%	4.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Fiscal Year	7.80%	8.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	25,247
2016	24,344
2017	22,933
2018	21,364
2019	19,954
2020-2024	83,846
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Minimum Funding Requirement				1,088
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Voluntary Employer Contributions				$23,600
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Expected Long-term Return on Assets				6.30%
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Other Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate					5.00%

STOCK_COMPENSATION_PLANS_Detai

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options:
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	68,500,000
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Total compensation amount charged against income for stock options, performance stock units (PSUs) and restricted stock units	$54,068,000	$53,984,000	$50,482,000
Total income tax benefit recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for share-based compensation	18,653,000	18,517,000	17,517,000
Compensation amount charged against income for stock options	25,074,000	21,390,000	19,272,000
Status Of Stock Options:
Outstanding shares at beginning of year	8,660,336	10,553,914	14,540,442
Shares Granted	1,387,580	1,779,109	2,110,945
Shares Exercised	-2,537,581	-3,315,990	-5,870,607
Shares Forfeited	-190,958	-356,697	-226,866
Outstanding shares at end of year	7,319,377	8,660,336	10,553,914
Options exercisable as of end of period	3,673,726	4,290,416	5,320,775
Weighted-average fair value of options granted (per share)	$21.50	$14.51	$10.60
Options outstanding at beginning of year weighted average exercise price	$55.47	$48.08	$44.86
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$105.75	$81.95	$60.89
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$48.61	$45.25	$44.55
Options forfeited weighted average exercise price	$82.80	$64.38	$52.02
Options outstanding at end of year weighted average exercise price	$66.69	$55.47	$48.08
Options exercisable as of end of period weighted average exercise price	$51.01	$46.45	$45.74
Fair Value Of Stock Option Grant:
Dividend yields	2.00%	2.20%	2.40%
Expected volatility	22.30%	22.20%	22.40%
Risk-free interest rates	2.10%	1.40%	1.50%
Expected lives in years	6 years 8 months	6 years 7 months	6 years 7 months
Intrinsic Value of Stock Options [Abstract]
Intrinsic value of options exercised (in millions of dollars)	133,948,000	135,396,000	130,219,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding	258,809,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable	184,477,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	22,193,000
Weighted Average Period In Years That Total Unrecognized Compensation Cost is Expected To be Recognized	2 years 5 months
Compensation amounts charged against income for Performance and Restricted Stock units [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award For Performance And Restricted Stock Units Compensation Cost	28,994,000	32,594,000	31,210,000
PSU Fair Value Monte Carlo Simulation Estimated Value	80.95	55.49	35.62
PSU Fair Value Monte Carlo Simulation Dividend Yields	1.80%	2.00%	2.50%
PSU Fair Value Monte Carlo Simulation Expected Volatility	15.50%	17.10%	20.00%
Status of Performance Stock units and Restricted Stock Units:
Stock performance units and restricted stock units outstanding as of beginning of period	1,411,399
Performance stock units and Restricted stock units, Granted	331,788	395,862	503,761
Performance stock units and Restricted stock units Performance assumption change	-214,145
Performance stock units and Restricted stock units, Vested	-565,520
Performance stock units and Restricted stock units, Forfeited	-59,216
Stock performance units and restricted stock units outstanding as of end of period	904,306	1,411,399
Weighted-average grant date fair value for equity awards or market value for liability awards:
Outstanding at beginning of year	$72.43
Granted	$115.57	$88.49	$64.99
Performance assumption change	$91.85
Vested	$63.93
Forfeited	$95.86
Outstanding at end of year	$94.48	$72.43
Performance stock units for which measurement date has not yet occurred for accounting purposes	25,462	29,596
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	37,341,000
Weighted-average period (in years) that total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock units and restricted stock units is expected to be recognized	2 years 0 months
Intrinsic value of share-based liabilities paid, combined with the fair value of shares vested (in millions of dollars)	$57,360,000	$62,582,000	$37,329
Deferred performance stock units, deferred restricted stock units, and directors' fees and accumulated dividend amounts representing deferred stock units outstanding	524,195
$33.40 - $51.42 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of Outstanding Options	2,484,189
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years	4 years 7 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$42.84
Number of Exercisable Options	2,092,239
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$41.23
$51.65 - $72.44 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of Outstanding Options	2,031,766
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years	5 years 6 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$59.25
Number of Exercisable Options	1,211,277
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$58.21
$81.73 - $106.65 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of Outstanding Options	2,803,422
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years	8 years 5 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$93.22
Number of Exercisable Options	370,210
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$82.69
Price Range $33.40 - $106.65 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of Outstanding Options	7,319,377
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years	6 years 4 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$66.69
Number of Exercisable Options	3,673,726
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$51.01

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments									2
Depreciation and amortization									$211,532	$201,033	$210,037
Net Sales	2,010,027	1,961,578	1,578,350	1,871,813	1,956,253	1,853,886	1,508,514	1,827,426	7,421,768	7,146,079	6,644,252
Operating Income (Loss)									1,956,211	1,907,223	1,707,506
Nonoperating Income (Expense)									503,407	533,506	478,645
Total net charges associated with business realignment initiatives and impairment									50,190	19,085	83,767
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)									-1,834	10,885	20,572
Business Combination, Integration Related Costs									14,873	4,072	13,374
Income before interest and income taxes									1,389,575	1,339,675	1,111,148
Interest expense, net									83,532	88,356	95,569
Income before income taxes									1,306,043	1,251,319	1,015,579
North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization									146,475	143,640	154,348
Net Sales									6,352,729	6,200,118	5,812,639
Operating Income (Loss)									1,916,207	1,862,636	1,656,136
International and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization									28,463	23,461	21,707
Net Sales									1,069,039	945,961	831,613
Operating Income (Loss)									40,004	44,587	51,370
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization									$36,594	$33,932	$33,982

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_BY_GEOGRAP

SEGMENT INFORMATION BY GEOGRAPHY (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$2,010,027	$1,961,578	$1,578,350	$1,871,813	$1,956,253	$1,853,886	$1,508,514	$1,827,426	$7,421,768	$7,146,079	$6,644,252
Long-Lived Assets									2151901	1805345	1674071
UNITED STATES
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									5,996,564	5,832,070	5,449,877
Long-Lived Assets									1477455	1474155	1420548
Other Country [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									$1,425,204	$1,314,009	$1,194,375
Long-Lived Assets									674446	331190	253523

EQUITY_AND_NONCONTROLLING_INTE2

EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Capital Stock, Shares Authorized	1,055,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000,000
Schedule Of Changes In Outstanding Common Stock [Abstract]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	359,901,744	359,901,744	359,901,744
Treasury Shares at Beginning of Year	-136,007,023	-136,115,714	-134,695,826
Repurchase Programs	-2,135,268	0	-2,054,354
Stock-Based Compensation Programs, Shares Repurchased	-3,676,513	-3,655,830	-5,598,537
Stock-Based Compensation Programs, Shares Issued	2,962,018	3,764,521	6,233,003
Treasury Shares at End of Year	-138,856,786	-136,007,023	-136,115,714
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	221,044,958	223,894,721	223,786,030
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	$64,468	$11,218
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	2,940	2,940	2,940
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	227	1,682
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Capital Stock, Shares Authorized	900,000,000
Schedule Of Changes In Outstanding Common Stock [Abstract]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	299,281,967	299,281,527
Common Stock, Voting Rights	1
Number Of Shares Held By Hershey Trust Company	12,902,821
Common Class B
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Capital Stock, Shares Authorized	150,000,000
Schedule Of Changes In Outstanding Common Stock [Abstract]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	60,619,777	60,620,217
Common Stock, Voting Rights	10
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	440	8,600	3,225
Number Of Shares Held By Hershey Trust Company	60,612,012
Approximate Percentage Of Total Votes Held By Trustee	80.00%
Lotte Shanghai Food Company [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	50.00%
Hershey Do Brasil Subsidiary
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	51.00%
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value, Gross Additions	3,060	3,060
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	$2,940	$2,940

COMMITMENTS_Details

COMMITMENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months	$1,298,800,000
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Two Years	618,100,000
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Three Years	138,600,000
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Four Years	66,800,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	28,200,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	13,400,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	9,600,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	3,200,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	900,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	900,000
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	345,947,000	323,551,000	258,727,000
MALAYSIA
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	115,000,000
Minimum [Member] | MALAYSIA
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Expected construction costs	265,000,000
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months	90,000,000
Maximum [Member] | MALAYSIA
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Expected construction costs	275,000,000
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months	$110,000,000

CONTINGENCIES_Details

CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 21, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
US [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number		91
Canada [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number		13
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value	$4

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net Income	$202,508	$223,741	$168,168	$252,495	$186,075	$232,985	$159,504	$241,906	$846,912	$820,470	$660,931
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									222,555	224,176	225,036
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted									224,837	227,203	228,337
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									1,510	1,757	3,543
Common Stock
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									161,935	163,549	164,406
Earnings Per Share - Basic	$0.94	$1.03	$0.78	$1.16	$0.85	$1.07	$0.73	$1.11	$3.91	$3.76	$3.01
Earnings Per Share - Diluted	$0.91	$1	$0.75	$1.11	$0.82	$1.03	$0.70	$1.06	$3.77	$3.61	$2.89
Common Class B
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									60,620	60,627	60,630
Earnings Per Share - Basic	$0.85	$0.94	$0.70	$1.04	$0.77	$0.96	$0.66	$1	$3.54	$3.39	$2.73
Earnings Per Share - Diluted	$0.85	$0.94	$0.70	$1.03	$0.76	$0.95	$0.66	$0.99	$3.52	$3.37	$2.71
Employee stock options [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment									1,920	2,476	2,608
Amount Of Dilutive Securities Performance And Restrictive Stock Units Member
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment									362	551	693

SUPPLEMENTAL_BALANCE_SHEET_INF2

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Raw Materials	$377,620	$226,978
Goods in process	63,916	79,861
Finished Goods	531,608	517,968
Inventories at FIFO	973,144	824,807
Adjustment to LIFO	-172,108	-165,266
Total inventories	801,036	659,541
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land	95,913	96,334
Buildings	1,031,050	882,508
Machinery and equipment	2,863,559	2,527,420
Construction in progress	338,085	273,132
Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,328,607	3,779,394
Accumulated depreciation	-2,176,706	-1,974,049
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,151,901	1,805,345
Other Assets [Abstract]
Pension	25	32,804
Capitalized software, net	63,252	56,502
Income tax receivable	1,568	63,863
Other non-current assets	77,927	139,835
Total other assets	142,772	293,004
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Payroll, compensation and benefits	225,439	245,641
Advertising and promotion	326,647	348,966
Due to SGM shareholders	98,884	0
Other	162,543	105,115
Total accrued liabilities	813,513	699,722
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Post-retirement benefits liabilities	268,850	245,460
Pension benefits liabilities	114,923	50,842
Other	142,230	137,766
Total other long-term liabilities	$526,003	$434,068

QUARTERLY_DATA_Details

QUARTERLY DATA (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
QUATERLY FINANCIAL DATA [Line Items]
Net Sales	$2,010,027	$1,961,578	$1,578,350	$1,871,813	$1,956,253	$1,853,886	$1,508,514	$1,827,426	$7,421,768	$7,146,079	$6,644,252
Gross Profit	887,065	860,137	717,474	871,490	857,386	855,551	718,574	849,337
Net Income	$202,508	$223,741	$168,168	$252,495	$186,075	$232,985	$159,504	$241,906	$846,912	$820,470	$660,931
Market Price of Common Stock High	$106.64	$96.93	$104.11	$108.07	$100.90	$97.69	$91.25	$87.53
Market Price of Common Stock Low	$91.09	$88.15	$96.02	$95.54	$91.04	$89.17	$85.25	$73.51
Common Stock
QUATERLY FINANCIAL DATA [Line Items]
Earnings Per Share - Basic	$0.94	$1.03	$0.78	$1.16	$0.85	$1.07	$0.73	$1.11	$3.91	$3.76	$3.01
Earnings Per Share - Diluted	$0.91	$1	$0.75	$1.11	$0.82	$1.03	$0.70	$1.06	$3.77	$3.61	$2.89
Common Stock	$0.54	$0.54	$0.49	$0.49	$0.49	$0.49	$0.42	$0.42	$2.04	$1.81	$1.56
Common Class B
QUATERLY FINANCIAL DATA [Line Items]
Earnings Per Share - Basic	$0.85	$0.94	$0.70	$1.04	$0.77	$0.96	$0.66	$1	$3.54	$3.39	$2.73
Earnings Per Share - Diluted	$0.85	$0.94	$0.70	$1.03	$0.76	$0.95	$0.66	$0.99	$3.52	$3.37	$2.71
Common Stock	$0.49	$0.49	$0.44	$0.44	$0.44	$0.44	$0.38	$0.38	$1.84	$1.63	$1.41

SCHEDULE_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL1

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$14,329	$15,246	$19,453
Charged to Cost and Expense	153,652	154,874	135,443
Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions from Reserves	-152,096	-155,791	-139,650
Balance at End of Period	$15,885	$14,329	$15,246