115114 - Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning)
When it comes to preparing crops for market or further processing, NAICS code 115114 plays a critical role in the agricultural supply chain. This code covers a wide range of postharvest activitiesâeverything from sorting and grading to drying and packing crops, excluding cotton ginning. Understanding this NAICS classification can help businesses, contractors, and government agencies navigate opportunities in the agriculture sector efficiently.
What is NAICS Code 115114?
NAICS 115114 â Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning) includes establishments primarily engaged in postharvest handling of crops to prepare them for sale or further processing. These activities generally happen after the crop is harvested and include operations such as cleaning, sorting, grading, packing, drying, and fumigation.
This category importantly excludes cotton ginning, which is classified separately.
Sector: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting
NAICS 115114 falls under the broader Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting sector. This sector encompasses businesses engaged in growing crops and raising animals, as well as those involved in related support activities such as postharvest processes. Postharvest crop activities form an essential bridge between farming and food processing, ensuring fresh produce arrives at markets in optimal condition.
Typical Business Activities Under NAICS 115114
Businesses operating under this NAICS code carry out varied postharvest functions, including but not limited to:
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Cleaning, Sorting, and Grading
Fruit and vegetable packing and sorting facilities prepare crops to meet market and quality standards. -
Drying and Curing
Operations such as corn drying, potato curing, and sun drying of fruits and vegetables preserve crops for storage and sale. -
Packing and Packaging
Facilities package fresh or farm-dried produce to maintain freshness and protect during transit. -
Specialized Processes
Activities like banana ripening, fumigating and irradiation of grains, nut hulling and shelling, seed cleaning for propagation, and waxing of fruits and vegetables.
Size Standard for NAICS 115114
For government contracting and SBA purposes, the size standard for NAICS code 115114 is $34 million in average annual receipts. Companies with receipts equal to or less than this threshold are considered small businesses, potentially qualifying them for set-aside contracts in the agricultural postharvest domain.
Examples of Businesses in NAICS 115114
Businesses primarily fitting this classification include:
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Fruit and Vegetable Packing and Sorting Facilities
Enterprises that sort fresh produce and prepare it for shipment to markets. -
Postharvest Handling and Storage Services
Companies that manage the storage, cooling, and grading of crops to extend shelf life and guarantee produce quality. -
Crop Cleaning and Grading Operations
Facilities dedicated to cleaning harvested grains, nuts, beans, and seeds to prepare them for sale.
Detailed Code Activities Table
| Postharvest Crop Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Almond hulling and shelling | Removing hulls and shells from almonds |
| Banana ripening | Controlled ripening process for bananas |
| Bean cleaning | Removing impurities from harvested beans |
| Corn drying | Drying corn to reduce moisture content |
| Corn shelling | Removing kernels from corn cobs |
| Crop cleaning | General cleaning of harvested crops |
| Decorticating flax | Removing woody outer layers from flax |
| Delinting cottonseed | Removing fibers from cottonseeds (not ginning) |
| Filbert hulling and shelling | Processing hazelnuts |
| Fruit precooling | Cooling fruit before shipment |
| Fruit sorting, grading, and packing | Quality control and packaging of fruit |
| Fruit sun drying | Drying fruit products under the sun |
| Fruit vacuum cooling | Cooling fruit using vacuum methods |
| Fumigating grain | Treating grains with fumigants for pests |
| Grain cleaning | Removing impurities from grain |
| Grain drying | Lowering moisture of grains |
| Grain fumigation | Pest control via fumigation of grains |
| Grain grinding (except custom grinding for animal feed) | Milling grains for various uses |
| Hulling and shelling of nuts | Removing shells/hulls from nuts |
| Irradiation of fruits and vegetables | Using radiation to preserve produce |
| Nut hulling and shelling | Processing nuts postharvest |
| Packaging fresh or farm-dried fruits and vegetables | Packaging produce for sale or distribution |
| Packing fruits and vegetables | Preparing produce for shipping |
| Peanut shelling | Removing shells from peanuts |
| Pecan hulling and shelling | Processing pecans postharvest |
| Potato curing | Treating potatoes to extend storage life |
| Retting flax | Softening flax by soaking |
| Rice drying | Reducing moisture in harvested rice |
| Seed cleaning, seed processing, postharvest for propagation | Preparing seeds for replanting |
| Sorting, grading, cleaning, and packing of fruits and vegetables | Quality control and preparation for market |
| Sun drying of dates, prunes, raisins, and olives | Drying specific fruit crops using natural sunlight |
| Sun drying of fruits and vegetables | Preserving crops by sun drying |
| Sun drying of tomatoes | Drying tomatoes for preservation |
| Sweet potato curing | Curing sweet potatoes for storage |
| Tobacco grading | Sorting tobacco leaves by quality |
| Vegetable precooling | Cooling vegetables before storage or sale |
| Vegetable sorting, grading, and packing | Quality control and packaging of vegetables |
| Vegetable sun drying | Preserving vegetables with sun drying |
| Vegetable vacuum cooling | Cooling vegetables using vacuum technology |
| Walnut hulling and shelling | Processing walnuts postharvest |
| Waxing, fruits or vegetables | Applying wax coatings to produce for appearance and shelf life |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does NAICS 115114 cover?
NAICS 115114 covers businesses performing postharvest activities on crops, such as cleaning, sorting, grading, drying, curing, packing, and fumigation, excluding cotton ginning.
Which sector does this NAICS code belong to?
It falls under the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting sector.
What is the small business size standard for NAICS 115114?
The size standard is $34 million in average annual receipts.
Can cotton ginning businesses fall under this code?
No, cotton ginning is excluded and classified under a different NAICS code.
What types of businesses use NAICS 115114?
Examples include fruit and vegetable packing facilities, postharvest storage and handling services, and crop cleaning and grading operations.
Optimizing your government contracting search or agriculture business plan? Keep NAICS 115114 in mindâthis code encompasses vital postharvest operations that ensure crops reach consumers in their best condition, supporting the backbone of the agricultural market.
