311421 - Fruit and Vegetable Canning

The food manufacturing industry is vast and diverse, with numerous specialized sectors contributing to the food supply chain. One such sector is NAICS code 311421, which focuses on Fruit and Vegetable Canning. This industry plays a vital role in preserving fruits and vegetables for retail and wholesale markets, ensuring year-round availability and convenience for consumers. Whether you’re a business owner, supplier, or government contractor, understanding NAICS 311421 can help you navigate opportunities and compliance requirements within this niche.

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What Is NAICS Code 311421?

NAICS code 311421 designates establishments primarily engaged in the canning, freezing, and preserving of fruits and vegetables in cans or jars. This includes the processing and packaging of these products for further distribution. The facilities under this code handle a variety of operations, from brining and pickling to producing sauces and jams, emphasizing preservation and quality control.

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Sector Overview: Food Manufacturing

NAICS 311421 falls within the Food Manufacturing sector, which covers all forms of processing raw agricultural products into finished food items. This classification highlights the following key activities:

• Canning of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, corn, peas, and berries
• Manufacturing fruit and vegetable juices, both fresh and canned
• Producing relishes, sauces, salsas, and preserves for retail use
• Brining and pickling various vegetables and fruits to extend shelf life

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Size Standards for NAICS 311421

For contracting and regulatory purposes, businesses classified under NAICS 311421 are considered small if they have 1,000 or fewer employees. This size standard helps define eligibility for small business programs and government contracts, providing potential growth opportunities for qualifying firms.

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Typical Businesses Under NAICS Code 311421

Examples of companies or business activities under this NAICS code include:

• Canning of tomatoes, corn, peas, and other vegetables
• Processing and canning fruit cocktail, mixed vegetables, and fruit juices
• Manufacturing barbecue sauce, catsup (ketchup), salsa, and spaghetti sauces
• Brining and pickling olives, onions, and cucumbers
• Producing jams, jellies, fruit butters, marmalades, and preserves
• Canning mushrooms, hominy, sauerkraut, and horseradish (excluding sauce)

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NAICS 311421 Code Details Table

Activity Category	Description
Artichokes, canned, manufacturing	Canning artichokes for retail or wholesale distribution
Barbecue sauce manufacturing	Producing and packaging barbecue sauces
Berries, canned, manufacturing	Processing and canning different berry varieties
Beverages, fruit and vegetable juice, manufacturing	Making fruit and vegetable juices, fresh or canned
Brining of fruits and vegetables	Preserving fruits and vegetables by brining
Canning fruits and vegetables	General canning of various fruits and vegetables
Canning jams and jellies	Manufacturing and packaging jams and jellies
Catsup manufacturing	Ketchup production and packaging
Chili sauce manufacturing	Making and canning chili sauces
Fruit brining	Preserving fruits through brining
Fruit butters manufacturing	Producing fruit butter varieties
Fruit juice canning	Canning of various fruit juices
Fruit juices, fresh, manufacturing	Processing fresh fruit juices
Fruit pickling	Pickling different fruit products
Fruit pie fillings, canning	Preparing and canning pie fillings
Fruits pickling	Pickling assorted fruits
Fruits, canned, bottled, and jarred, manufacturing	General manufacturing of canned, bottled, and jarred fruits
Hominy, canned, manufacturing	Processing and canning hominy
Horseradish (except sauce) canning	Canning horseradish root (excluding sauces)
Jellies and jams manufacturing	Producing and packaging jellies and jams
Juices, fruit or vegetable, canned manufacturing	Canning vegetable and fruit juices
Juices, fruit or vegetable, fresh, manufacturing	Fresh juice production
Ketchup manufacturing	Manufacturing ketchup products
Marmalade manufacturing	Making and canning marmalades
Mushrooms canning	Canning mushrooms
Olives brined	Brining olives for preservation
Onions pickled	Pickling onions
Pastes, fruit and vegetable, canning	Making and canning fruit and vegetable pastes
Pickles manufacturing	Processing and canning pickles
Pickling fruits and vegetables	Preserving fruits and vegetables by pickling
Preserves (e.g., imitation) canning	Producing and canning preserves
Relishes canning	Manufacturing relishes
Salsa canning	Processing and packaging salsa
Sauces, tomato-based, canning	Manufacturing tomato-based sauces
Sauerkraut manufacturing	Producing and packaging sauerkraut
Spaghetti sauce canning	Canning spaghetti and pasta sauces
Vegetable brining	Brining vegetables
Vegetable canning, bottling, and jarring	General canning and packaging of vegetables
Vegetable juices canning	Canning vegetable juices
Vegetable juices, fresh, manufacturing	Processing fresh vegetable juices
Vegetables pickling	Pickling assorted vegetables

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What types of products fall under NAICS 311421?

This code includes canned fruits, vegetables, pickles, sauces, jellies, preserves, brined items, and fruit and vegetable juices—both fresh and canned.

What sector does NAICS 311421 belong to?

It belongs to the Food Manufacturing sector, specifically focused on canning and preserving fruits and vegetables.

How many employees can a small business have under this NAICS code?

The size standard is up to 1,000 employees to qualify as a small business for government contracting and other purposes.

Can businesses that produce tomato sauces or salsas be classified under 311421?

Yes, manufacturing and canning tomato-based sauces, salsas, and spaghetti sauces fall under this code.

Is freezing and canning part of this NAICS code?

Yes, establishments engaging in freezing and canning fruits and vegetables are included.

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Conclusion

NAICS code 311421 - Fruit and Vegetable Canning is a critical industry classification within food manufacturing, encompassing a wide spectrum of businesses involved in the preservation and packaging of fruits and vegetables. Understanding its scope, typical activities, and size standards can empower businesses to better position themselves for growth, compliance, and contracting opportunities within this essential sector.

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