NAICS 311224

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for grouping business establishments so agencies can collect, analyze, and publish statistics on the U.S. economy. Developed by the Office of Management and Budget with partners in Canada and Mexico, NAICS replaced SIC in 1997; the latest revision is 2022. ¹

Per NAICS 2017, 311224 (Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing) covers establishments primarily engaged in crushing oilseeds and tree nuts—including soybeans, cottonseeds, linseeds, peanuts, and sunflower seeds—to produce oilseed oils; cake and meal; and protein isolates and concentrates. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 311224 overview
• G2X — NAICS 311222 Soybean Processing
• G2X — NAICS 311223 Other Oilseed Processing

What this NAICS covers

• Soybean crushing to obtain crude soybean oil, cake, meal, and protein isolates/concentrates. ²
• Crushing other oilseeds and tree nuts (e.g., cottonseed, linseed, peanut, sunflower) for oils, cakes, and meals. ²
• Primary oil extraction from oilseeds and tree nuts prior to any refining or blending operations. ²
• Production of oilseed-derived protein isolates and concentrates as part of crushing operations. ²
• Integrated facilities where crushing yields multiple coproducts (oil, meal, cake) within the same establishment. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	311222	Soybean Processing
NAICS	311223	Other Oilseed Processing
NAICS	311225	Fats and Oils Refining and Blending
PSC	8945	Food, Oils and Fats

Key exclusions and cross‑references (NAICS 2017)

• Refining and/or blending vegetable, oilseed, and tree nut oils from purchased oils is classified in 311225. ²
• Wet milling of corn and other vegetables is classified in 311221. ²

NAICS 2022 update for this industry

Under NAICS 2022, soybean processing and other oilseed processing are reported separately: 311222 covers crushing soybeans, while 311223 covers crushing oilseeds (except soybeans) and tree nuts such as cottonseed, linseed, peanut, and sunflower seed. ³

Frequently asked questions

• Is NAICS 311224 still used in current statistics?

  • NAICS 311224 was defined in the 2017 vintage. Federal statistical programs are transitioning to the 2022 structure by December 2027, which splits soybean and other oilseed processing into separate industries. See also on G2X: 311222, 311223. ⁴

• What activities are included under NAICS 311224?

  • Establishments primarily crush soybeans and other oilseeds/tree nuts to produce oils; cake and meal; and protein isolates and concentrates. Included oilseeds commonly cited are cottonseed, linseed, peanut, and sunflower seed, when performed as part of the crushing operation. ²

• What codes apply under NAICS 2022 for these operations?

  • Soybean crushing is classified in 311222; crushing of other oilseeds and tree nuts is in 311223. Both fall under Manufacturing (Grain and Oilseed Milling). See also on G2X: 311222. ³

• Does NAICS 311224 include oil refining or blending?

  • No. Refining or blending oils from purchased oils—including making shortening or margarine—is classified in 311225, not in 311224. ²

Useful resources

• NAICS official homepage and search tool for code definitions, structure, and keyword lookup across vintages. ¹
• NAICS 2017 Manual (PDF) — canonical industry definition, inclusions/exclusions, and examples for 311224. ²
• NAICS 2022 Manufacturing (Sectors 31–33) archive notes — explains scope changes, including the split of 2017 311224 into 311222 and 311223. ³
• NAICS 2022 implementation timeline — when federal statistical programs transition reporting to the 2022 structure. ⁴
• Replacement codes under NAICS 2022 for planning and reporting: 311222 (Soybean Processing) and 311223 (Other Oilseed Processing).
• Cross-reference for downstream operations: refining/blending of purchased oils is in 311225 (not in 311224), useful when scoping solicitations or market sizing. ²
• PSC alignment for acquisition: 8945 Food, Oils and Fats (often paired with oilseed-crushing NAICS in procurement line items).

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). https://www.census.gov/naics
2. Office of Management and Budget. 2017 NAICS United States Manual (PDF). https://www2.census.gov/library/reference/naics/publications/2017-NAICS-Manual.pdf
3. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS 2022 Resources: Manufacturing (Sectors 31–33) Archive. https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS 2022 Implementation Timeline. https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html