Analysis
NAICS 31122 is the 2022 NAICS industry for starch and vegetable fats and oils manufacturing, part of 3112 (Grain and Oilseed Milling). Census lists 81 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 369 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 28,529 people at an average annual payroll of $77,292 per employee (65th percentile of national industries). 22% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which points to larger operations.
Census lists 6 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 31199, 11199, 31121 and 32519. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Across its national industries Census lists 81 index entries; typical ones are corn dextrin manufacturing, canola (rapeseed) oil, cake and meal, made in crushing mills and butter substitutes made from purchased oils.
Its goods appear in 151 statistical lines of the US tariff schedule, mostly under headings 1517 (margarine; edible mixtures or preparations of animal…), 1702 (other sugars, including chemically pure lactose, maltose…) and 1509 (olive oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but…). That link is how import data is matched to domestic producers, for example in trade-remedy cases.
It splits into 3 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 311224 (Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing) with 190.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1) wet milling corn and vegetables; (2) crushing oilseeds and tree nuts; (3) refining and/or blending vegetable oils; (4) manufacturing shortening and margarine; and (5) blending purchased animal fats with vegetable fats.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing table syrups from corn syrup and starch base dessert powders | 31199 All Other Food Manufacturing |
| Reducing maple sap to maple syrup | 11199 All Other Crop Farming |
| Milling flour or meal from grains and vegetables | 31121 Flour Milling and Malt Manufacturing |
| Wet milling corn to produce nonpotable ethyl alcohol | 32519 Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing |
| Rendering or refining animal fats and oils | 31161 Animal Slaughtering and Processing |
| Manufacturing laundry starches | 32561 Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing |
Index entries (81)
- Corn dextrin manufacturing
- Canola (rapeseed) oil, cake and meal, made in crushing mills
- Butter substitutes made from purchased oils