NAICS 111331

Overview

NAICS 111331 — Apple Orchards — covers establishments primarily engaged in growing apples in orchards. Activities typically include planting and cultivating trees, pest and nutrient management, pruning, and harvesting, with on-farm handling (e.g., sorting, packing, and storage) when incidental to the farm’s own production. The industry is situated within Subsector 1113 (Fruit and Tree Nut Farming) of Sector 11 (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting). This classification focuses on primary agricultural production; off-farm postharvest services (such as packing and grading performed for others) and beverage manufacturing are classified elsewhere. The output from 111331 generally serves fresh markets or processing channels, and establishments can vary by scale and organizational structure, but are identified by their principal activity: cultivating apples in orchards. The definition does not hinge on ownership of land or specific marketing channels, only on the primary agricultural activity of apple production in orchard settings. ¹

What this NAICS covers

• Establishments primarily engaged in growing apples in orchard settings for commercial sale, including orchard establishment, tree cultivation, pruning and thinning, pest and nutrient management, irrigation, and harvesting; incidental on-farm handling of the establishment’s own apples (e.g., sorting, packing, and storage) is included when secondary to production. ¹
• Farms producing multiple fruits are classified here when apples account for the largest share of agricultural production; farms with mixed fruit and/or tree nut production where no single commodity accounts for at least half of total agricultural production are classified in 111336. ¹
• Postharvest services performed for others—such as off-farm packing, grading, waxing, or cold storage—are not covered here; those establishments are classified under 115114 (Postharvest Crop Activities, except Cotton Ginning). ¹
• Propagation and sale of apple nursery stock (e.g., rootstocks, liners, saplings) are not covered here; those operations are classified in 111421 (Nursery and Tree Production). ¹
• Growing grapes for wine or fresh consumption is not covered here; such establishments are classified in 111332 (Grape Vineyards). ¹
• Manufacturing beverages from apples (e.g., cider) is outside the scope of agricultural production and is classified in 3121 (Beverage Manufacturing), not in agricultural production codes. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Related and adjacent NAICS codes that often appear alongside or instead of 111331 in solicitations or market research:

• 111336 — Fruit and Tree Nut Combination Farming — mixed orchards with no single dominant commodity.
• 111339 — Other Noncitrus Fruit Farming — other noncitrus fruits (e.g., pears, stone fruits) when apples are not primary.
• 111332 — Grape Vineyards — viticulture-focused opportunities.
• 111335 — Tree Nut Farming — for orchards where nuts are primary.
• 111421 — Nursery and Tree Production — propagation and sale of rootstocks/liners/saplings.
• 115112 — Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating — contract field operations.
• 115114 — Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning) — packing/waxing/cold storage for others.
• 311421 — Fruit and Vegetable Canning — downstream processing (e.g., applesauce).
• 3121 — Beverage Manufacturing — cider and other apple-based beverages.

Commonly paired PSC (Product Service Code) categories in federal buys touching apple orchard operations, equipment, services, or products:

• 8915 — Fruits and Vegetables — procurement of fresh produce (including apples).
• 3710 — Soil Preparation Equipment — tillers, plows, and cultivators.
• 3720 — Harvesting Equipment — fruit harvesters and pickers.
• 3750 — Gardening Implements and Tools — pruning tools, ladders, hand implements.
• 2420 — Tractors, Wheeled — orchard tractors and attachments.
• 6840 — Pest Control Agents and Disinfectants — pesticides and fungicides.
• 4110 — Refrigeration Equipment — equipment for on-farm cold storage.
• S207 — Housekeeping—Insect/Pest Control — contracted pest-control services.

Notes for use:

• Agencies may toggle between 111331, 111336, and 111339 depending on how narrowly the requirement targets apples versus broader orchard operations.
• When the requirement is primarily for services performed on behalf of growers (e.g., contract spraying, packing for third parties), 115112 or 115114 are more common than 111331.
• For solicitations centered on finished food products or beverage manufacture rather than farm production, processing/manufacturing NAICS such as 311421 or 3121 and product PSCs like 8915 typically appear.

Frequently asked questions

• What activities qualify under NAICS 111331?
  Establishments primarily engaged in cultivating apple trees and producing apples in orchard settings fall in 111331. Incidental on-farm handling of the establishment’s own crop (e.g., sorting, packing, storage) is included when secondary to production. Classification is based on the establishment’s principal activity. ¹

• How are mixed-fruit farms classified when apples aren’t the only crop?
  Use 111331 when apples account for the largest share of production. If no single commodity reaches at least half, use 111336. If another fruit is primary (e.g., grapes), use that commodity’s code such as 111332 or 111339. ¹

• Are contract packing, grading, waxing, or cold storage for other farms covered here?
  No. Establishments performing postharvest services for others (off-farm or as a service business) are classified in 115114 (Postharvest Crop Activities, except Cotton Ginning). On-farm handling is within 111331 only when incidental to the orchard’s own production. ¹

• Which NAICS should contractors providing spraying or cultivation services use?
  Service providers performing field operations on a contract or fee basis generally fall under support activities codes, such as 115112 (Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating), rather than 111331, which is reserved for producers growing apples. ¹

• Are cider or other apple-based beverages included in this code?
  No. Beverage manufacturing is outside agricultural production. Establishments primarily making beverages from apples (e.g., cider) are classified in 3121 (Beverage Manufacturing), not in 111331. ¹

Useful resources

Authoritative, official links for researching 111331 and adjacent topics:

• Census NAICS 2022 code detail for Apple Orchards (full definition, examples, cross-references): https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=111331&year=2022&details=111331
• Census NAICS 2017 code detail for historical reference and continuity checks: https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=111331&year=2017&details=111331
• NAICS 2022 Manual (PDF) — complete structure, definitions, and classification rules across Sector 11: https://www.census.gov/naics/reference_files_tools/2022_NAICS_Manual.pdf
• NAICS Concordances — official crosswalks between NAICS versions (e.g., 2017 to 2022): https://www.census.gov/naics/concordances/concordances.html
• NAICS main search portal — browse codes, verify titles, and confirm descriptions across years: https://www.census.gov/naics/
• SBA Table of Size Standards (by NAICS) — current small business size thresholds applicable to 111331: https://www.sba.gov/document/support/table-size-standards
• USDA NASS Quick Stats — production, acreage, and yield data for apples by state/county: https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/
• USDA AMS Fruit & Vegetable Market News — shipping point/terminal prices and movement for apples: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/fruits-vegetables
• USDA ERS Fruit & Tree Nuts topic page — market outlooks and data for apples and other tree fruits: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/fruit-tree-nuts/
• USDA RMA Apple crop insurance program — policy materials and actuarial information: https://www.rma.usda.gov/Policy-and-Procedure/Insurance-Plans/Apples
• EPA pesticide labels and guidance — compliance information for crop protection products: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-labels

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS 2022 Code 111331 — Apple Orchards (definition, examples, cross-references). https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=111331&year=2022&details=111331