NAICS 311351

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for grouping business establishments so statistical agencies can collect, analyze, and publish data on the U.S. economy. Created under the Office of Management and Budget and adopted in 1997 to replace SIC, NAICS was developed jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to enable cross-country comparability. The current vintage in use for Census economic programs is 2022. ¹

In the 2022 NAICS structure, industry 311351 covers establishments that process cacao beans and manufacture chocolate and cocoa products and chocolate confectioneries (e.g., shelling, roasting, grinding cacao beans; making chocolate and chocolate syrup). Related cross-references distinguish 311352 for products made from purchased chocolate and 311340 for nonchocolate confectionery; preparing confections for immediate consumption is out of scope. ³

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 311351 overview
• G2X — NAICS 311352
• G2X — NAICS 311340

What this NAICS covers

• Cacao bean shelling, roasting, and grinding into cocoa mass/liquor. ³
• Manufacturing chocolate cacao products (e.g., bars, coatings, compounds). ³
• Producing chocolate confectioneries from cacao bean inputs (not for immediate consumption). ³
• Making chocolate syrup as a cocoa/chocolate product. ³
• Integrated operations from bean processing to finished chocolate goods. ³
• Establishments primarily producing chocolate ingredients (e.g., cocoa liquor) for downstream confectionery use. ³

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Frequently asked questions

• What is the exact NAICS title for 311351?

  The official 2022 title is “Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans.” Federal statistical programs that have adopted the 2022 NAICS vintage use this exact label across their datasets and documentation, ensuring consistent identification of this manufacturing industry in the U.S. statistical system. ²

• How does 311351 differ from 311352?

  Industry 311351 begins with cacao beans (roasting and grinding) to make cocoa/chocolate products and chocolate confectionery. By contrast, 311352 covers confectionery made from purchased chocolate, where the establishment does not process cacao beans into chocolate. The upstream manufacturing step is the key dividing line. ³

• Are retail chocolatiers or shops included in 311351?

  No. Preparing and selling confectionery for immediate consumption is classified under 722213 (Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars). Retailing confectionery not for immediate consumption and not made on premises is classified under 445292 (Confectionery and Nut Retailers). These activities fall outside manufacturing. ³

• Does 311351 include chocolate syrup?

  Yes. Manufacturing chocolate syrup is included within cacao-based chocolate and confectionery manufacturing from cacao beans. Establishments engaged in producing chocolate syrup as part of broader chocolate/cocoa product lines are classified in 311351, not in soft drink or general syrup industries. ³

• Where are official statistics for 311351 published?

  The 2022 Economic Census publishes industry statistics on the 2022 NAICS basis. Census programs are transitioning to the 2022 NAICS through 2027 according to the formal implementation plan, so program timing may vary until full adoption is complete across series and years. ⁴

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 311351
• Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (structure, purpose, 2022 vintage). ¹
• Census: Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (adoption timeline and change notes). ⁴
• 2022 Economic Census — Manufacturing (Sector 31–33) data tables and documentation. ⁵

References

1. Census — Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (2022 Guidance). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
2. Census — LEHD Selected Codebook Value Labels (includes NAICS 311351 title). https://lehd.ces.census.gov/data/lehd-snapshot-doc/S2021/appendices/value_labels.html
3. Census — NAICS Sector 31–33 (archived descriptions; includes 311320 cross-references/activities). https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
4. Census — Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (timeline and program adoption). https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
5. Census — 2022 NAICS Sector 31–33: Manufacturing (Economic Census data access). https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/econ/economic-census/naics-sector-31-33.html