Analysis
NAICS 424470 is the 2022 national industry for meat and meat product merchant wholesalers, part of 42447 (Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers). Census lists 10 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 2,220 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 53,190 people at an average annual payroll of $71,045 per employee (54th percentile of national industries). 41% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 424420, 424490, 311612 and 424440. 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include cutting of purchased carcasses (except boxed meat cut on an…, deli meats (except poultry) merchant wholesalers, fresh meats merchant wholesalers and frozen meats (except packaged) merchant wholesalers, among 10 in all.
For example, merchant wholesale distribution of packaged frozen meats are classified in 424420 (Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 5% and employment rose 9%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of meats and meat products (except canned and packaged frozen) and/or lard.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Merchant wholesale distribution of packaged frozen meats | 424420 Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of canned meats | 424490 Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers |
| Preparing boxed beef from purchased carcasses | 311612 Meat Processed from Carcasses |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of poultry and/or poultry products (except canned and packaged frozen) | 424440 Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of fish and seafood (except canned and packaged frozen) | 424460 Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers |
Index entries (10)
- Cutting of purchased carcasses (except boxed meat cut on an assembly line basis) merchant wholesalers
- Deli meats (except poultry) merchant wholesalers
- Fresh meats merchant wholesalers
- Frozen meats (except packaged) merchant wholesalers
- Lard merchant wholesalers
- Meats and meat products (except canned, packaged frozen) merchant wholesalers
- Meats, cured or smoked, merchant wholesalers
- Meats, fresh, merchant wholesalers
- Meats, frozen (except packaged), merchant wholesalers
- Processed meats (e.g., luncheon, sausage) merchant wholesalers