NAICS 311421

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the common framework that U.S. federal statistical programs use to categorize business establishments so they can produce and compare economic statistics. Developed with Canada and Mexico and first adopted in 1997 under the Office of Management and Budget, NAICS is updated every five years; the current vintage is 2022. ¹

NAICS 311421 covers establishments primarily engaged in canning fruits and vegetables, including pickled and brined products. Census examples linked to this family of activities include canned vegetables and beans, pickles, relishes, sauerkraut, tomato-based sauces (e.g., catsup, salsa), jams and jellies, and fruit or vegetable juices. This code is used across Census economic programs to tabulate and publish industry data. ²

What this NAICS covers

• Canning of fruits (whole, pieces, or purees) for shelf-stable distribution. ²
• Canning of vegetables and dry beans. ²
• Manufacturing of pickled and brined fruits and vegetables, including pickles, relishes, and sauerkraut. ²
• Production of tomato-based sauces such as catsup, salsa, chili, spaghetti, barbecue sauces, and tomato paste. ²
• Canning of jams and jellies. ²
• Canning of fruit and vegetable juices (excluding soft-drink “ades” and cocktails). ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	311422	Specialty Canning
NAICS	311423	Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing
PSC	8915	Fruits and Vegetables
PSC	8930	Jams, Jellies, and Preserves

Boundary with adjacent industries (common exclusions)

• Seafood canning and seafood soups are classified in U.S. Industry 311711 (Seafood Canning), not under fruit and vegetable canning. ²
• Canned meat products fall under 31161 (Animal Slaughtering and Processing). ²
• Dry salad dressings and dry sauce mixes are classified in 311942 (Spice and Extract Manufacturing). ²
• Mixing purchased dried ingredients for soup or bouillon, or other “all other” food items, is classified in 31199 (All Other Food Manufacturing). ²
• Soft drink beverages (e.g., fruit “ades,” cocktails) are classified in 312111 (Soft Drink Manufacturing). ²

Frequently asked questions

• What activities does NAICS 311421 include?
  It covers canning fruits and vegetables, including pickled and brined items, and encompasses products such as canned beans, pickles, relishes, sauerkraut, tomato-based sauces, jams, jellies, and certain canned juices. ²

• Are tomato-based sauces like ketchup and salsa included here?
  Yes. Census cross-references place catsup/ketchup and similar tomato-based sauces within fruit and vegetable canning rather than in seasoning/dressing industries. ²

• Are canned soups part of this industry?
  Generally no. Canned soups (other than seafood) are classified under Specialty Canning, which is separate from Fruit and Vegetable Canning. ²

• How are juices treated versus soft drinks?
  Canning of fruit and vegetable juices is included here, while soft-drink beverages such as “ades” and cocktails are placed in Soft Drink Manufacturing. ²

• Where is this code used in federal data releases?
  The Census Bureau is implementing the 2022 NAICS across its economic programs; 2022 Economic Census publications and subsequent series tabulate industries using 2022 codes, including this one. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 311421 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/naics/311421
• Census NAICS sector detail (includes 311421 definition and cross-references). ²
• Census — Economic Census by Industry (access 2022 industry tables). ³
• Economic Census guidance: NAICS codes and how they are used. ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — About Industry: NAICS history, OMB role, and 1997 adoption; updates through 2022. https://www.census.gov/topics/employment/industry-occupation/about/industry.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Sector 31-33 (industry group 31142 with 311421 definition and cross-references). https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau — Economic Census by Industry (2022 tables and access notes). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/data/tables/industry.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau — Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html