NAICS 111211

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the production-oriented standard that U.S. Federal statistical agencies use to classify business establishments for economic data collection and publication. Developed collaboratively by the U.S. Economic Classification Policy Committee with Statistics Canada and Mexico’s statistical agency, NAICS was adopted by OMB in 1997 and is updated every five years; the most recent vintage is 2022. ¹

NAICS 111211 covers establishments whose primary activity is growing potatoes and/or producing seed potatoes (excluding sweet potatoes). Within the Crop Production subsector, establishments are classified to a specific industry when one product or product family accounts for at least half of agricultural production; the growing process typically ends at the “farm gate.” Cross-references direct sweet potatoes to 111219 and canning or drying of potatoes to 31142. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 111211 overview
• G2X — NAICS 111219 (Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming)
• G2X — NAICS 11141 (Food Crops Grown Under Cover)

What this NAICS covers

• Field cultivation of potatoes for table, processing, or seed markets, up to the point of first sale (“farm gate”). ²
• Production of certified and non-certified seed potatoes as a primary farming activity. ²
• On-farm activities integral to potato cultivation (e.g., soil preparation, planting, cultivation, harvest) performed by the establishment. ²
• On-farm, pre-market handling incidental to production (e.g., field grading or temporary storage) prior to first sale. ²
• Classification of mixed-crop farms under 111211 when potatoes account for at least 50% of agricultural production by value. ²
• Open-field potato production typical of the Vegetable and Melon Farming group. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	111219	Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming (includes sweet potatoes, cassava, yams). 2
NAICS	11141	Food Crops Grown Under Cover (vegetables and melons under glass or protective cover). 2
NAICS	31142	Fruit and Vegetable Canning, Pickling and Drying (e.g., canning or drying potatoes). 2
PSC	8730	Seeds and Nursery Stock (applicable to seed potato supply in procurement contexts). 4

2022 NAICS status and Census publication

• Code 111211 appears in Census 2022 NAICS code lists (e.g., LEHD value labels) with the title “Potato Farming.” ³
• Census programs are transitioning publications to the 2022 NAICS basis; full adoption across programs is expected by the end of calendar year 2027 (with limited exceptions). ⁵

Frequently asked questions

• What activities are included in NAICS 111211? Establishments primarily engaged in growing potatoes and/or producing seed potatoes are included, with production typically ending at the farm gate. Routine on-farm activities integral to crop production are included in this industry. ²

• Are sweet potatoes part of NAICS 111211? No. Sweet potatoes, as well as cassava and yams, are classified in NAICS 111219 (Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming) rather than Potato Farming. ²

• Does 111211 cover canning, drying, or other processing of potatoes? No. Canning or drying potatoes is classified under NAICS 31142 (Fruit and Vegetable Canning, Pickling and Drying). NAICS 111211 is limited to crop production through the farm gate. ²

• How are farms with multiple crops classified relative to 111211? If potatoes account for at least half of an establishment’s agricultural production by value, the establishment is classified in NAICS 111211. Otherwise, it is classified by the product family that meets that 50% threshold or in a combination category. ²

• Is 111211 active in the 2022 NAICS? Yes. Census 2022 NAICS files list 111211 as “Potato Farming,” and economic program outputs are migrating to the 2022 basis per the implementation timeline. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 111211 overview
• U.S. Census Bureau: NAICS Sector 11 descriptions and 111211 definition. ²
• U.S. Census Bureau: Economic Census — NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems. ¹
• U.S. Census Bureau: Implementation of the 2022 NAICS — impacts and timeline. ⁵
• U.S. Census Bureau: LEHD — NAICS 2022 value labels (includes 111211 Potato Farming). ³

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — About Industry: overview of NAICS development, adoption (1997), and 5-year updates through 2022. https://www.census.gov/topics/employment/industry-occupation/about/industry.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022: definition and cross-references for 111211 Potato Farming. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=111211&year=2022&details=111211
3. U.S. Census Bureau — LEHD Snapshot Documentation: NAICS 2022 code value labels (lists 111211 Potato Farming). https://lehd.ces.census.gov/data/lehd-snapshot-doc/latest/appendices/value_labels.html
4. Product and Service Code (PSC) 8730 — Seeds and Nursery Stock (PSC Tool). https://psctool.us/psc/8730
5. U.S. Census Bureau — Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (timeline and program adoption). https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html