NAICS 111219 Quarterly Industry Report
Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 111219Sector: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (11)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry profile for Other Vegetable and Melon Farming (NAICS 111219) draws on data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service[4], the U.S. Census Bureau[5], the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and the SBA Office of Size Standards[7]. All statistics reflect the most recently published government data at the time of writing. This report serves as a starting reference for business appraisers, M&A advisors, and lenders evaluating vegetable farming operations under NAICS 111219.
Industry Definition & Overview
Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming (NAICS 111219) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in growing vegetables other than potatoes and dry peas or beans, producing vegetable and melon seeds, and growing vegetable or melon bedding plants. The U.S. Census Bureau[3] classifies this broad industry within the vegetable and melon farming subsector, covering crops ranging from tomatoes, lettuce, and onions to watermelons, cantaloupes, peppers, carrots, and squash [1]. California dominates national vegetable production, with the Salinas Valley, Imperial Valley, and Central Valley supplying the majority of leaf lettuce, broccoli, and carrot output. Florida ranks second, focusing on tomatoes, peppers, and winter vegetable crops that reach market when northern production is dormant [2].
National production across the 26 estimated vegetable and melon crops totaled 758 million hundredweight in 2023, with the value of use production reaching $19.5 billion per USDA NASS[4] data [3]. Tomatoes, onions, and sweet corn accounted for 54 percent of total vegetable volume, while tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and carrots claimed the highest production values [4]. Approximately 4,005 establishments operate under this NAICS classification, though many additional vegetable farms are captured under more specific commodity codes or mixed-crop designations [5]. Revenue depends on contracted volumes with fresh-cut processors and retail buyers, spot-market pricing at regional shipping points, and labor availability during hand-harvest windows that remain essential for many vegetable crops [6].
What's Included in This Industry
- Tomato farming for fresh market and processing
- Lettuce and leafy greens production
- Onion farming operations
- Pepper farming including bell, chili, and specialty varieties
- Carrot and root vegetable cultivation
- Watermelon and cantaloupe melon farming
- Squash and pumpkin production
- Broccoli, cauliflower, and cole crop farming
- Sweet corn production for fresh market
- Vegetable and melon seed production and bedding plant growing
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 11 |
| Subsector | Crop Production | 111 |
| Industry Group | Vegetable and Melon Farming | 1112 |
| NAICS Industry | Vegetable and Melon Farming | 11121 |
| National Industry | Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming | 111219 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 111211 | Potato Farming | Potato farming shares irrigated acreage, crop rotation patterns, and vegetable packing infrastructure with operations growing other root and tuber vegetables |
| 311411 | Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing | Frozen fruit, juice, and vegetable manufacturing represents a major downstream buyer for vegetables like broccoli, green beans, and corn processed for retail frozen sales |
| 311421 | Fruit and Vegetable Canning | Fruit and vegetable canning establishments purchase tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables under seasonal processing contracts with farming operations |
| 424480 | Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers | Fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers distribute harvested vegetables from farm shipping points to retail grocery chains and food service distributors |
| 115112 | Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating | Soil preparation services provide custom tillage, bed formation, and plastic mulch installation for vegetable fields that require intensive pre-plant preparation |
| 115114 | Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning) | Postharvest crop activities include cooling, grading, packing, and storage services that vegetable farms outsource to maintain product freshness and quality |
SBA Lending Summary
48
Total SBA Loans
$10.7M
Total Loan Volume
$223K
Average Loan Size
13 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.67%
Average Interest Rate
440
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[2]
Key Insight: The SBA[8] assigns NAICS 111219 a revenue-based size standard of $3.25 million in average annual receipts. Many vegetable farms exceed the crop-farming norm due to the labor intensity and high per-acre revenue of irrigated specialty crop production. Qualifying businesses access Farm Service Agency loans, USDA disaster assistance, and SBA 7(a) financing for irrigation infrastructure, packing shed construction, and cold storage equipment [7]. Federal crop insurance through the USDA Risk Management Agency[9] offers Whole-Farm Revenue Protection policies that cover diversified vegetable operations enrolling multiple crops under a single policy, and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance covers vegetables without individual insurance options [8]. Specialty crop block grants administered through state departments of agriculture provide additional funding for marketing, food safety compliance, and research. Additionally, 504/CDC loans[10] provide long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets such as real estate and equipment.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvest Small Business Finance, LLC | 8 | $5.4M | $671K |
| 2 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $2.2M | $275K |
| 3 | Bank of Clarke | 8 | $2.0M | $250K |
| 4 | The Huntington National Bank | 8 | $572K | $72K |
| 5 | Northeast Bank | 8 | $480K | $60K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 111219?
NAICS 111219 covers establishments growing vegetables other than potatoes and melons, producing vegetable and melon seeds, and growing bedding plants. Common crops include tomatoes, lettuce, onions, peppers, carrots, broccoli, squash, watermelons, and cantaloupes produced for fresh market, processing, or seed purposes [1].
What is the SBA size standard for Other Vegetable and Melon Farming?
A vegetable farming business qualifies as small under SBA guidelines if its average annual receipts do not exceed $3.25 million, measured over the preceding five completed fiscal years. This threshold is higher than most grain crop categories, reflecting the labor-intensive nature and higher per-acre revenue of vegetable production [7].
How large is the U.S. vegetable farming industry?
National production across 26 estimated vegetable and melon crops totaled 758 million hundredweight in 2023, with a use production value of $19.5 billion. Approximately 4,005 establishments are classified under NAICS 111219, though the total number of farms growing vegetables is far higher when counting operations classified under more specific codes per USDA NASS[4] survey data [3].
What are the major cost drivers for vegetable farming?
Labor represents the single largest expense category for most vegetable operations, as hand harvesting remains necessary for crops like tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens. Irrigation water and energy costs are substantial in arid western production regions. Seed, fertilizer, plastic mulch, and crop protection chemical costs add variable expenses that scale with planted acreage. Cooling and cold chain logistics from field to buyer add post-harvest costs unique to perishable crops per USDA ERS[11] cost-of-production studies [6].
Which states dominate U.S. vegetable production?
California produces more vegetables by value than any other state, with the Salinas Valley, Imperial Valley, and Central Valley leading output of leaf lettuce, broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes. Florida ranks second, specializing in winter tomatoes, peppers, and snap beans. Arizona, Georgia, and Washington round out the top five producing states per USDA NASS[4] annual vegetable summary reports [2].
How is a vegetable farm typically valued for sale?
Vegetable farm valuations combine asset-based and income-based methods. Land values depend on irrigation water rights, soil quality, climate suitability, and proximity to packing and cooling facilities. Packing sheds, cold storage, and drip irrigation systems add asset value beyond bare land. Income approaches capitalize stabilized earnings from established buyer contracts, with operators holding long-term retail or processor agreements commanding valuation premiums over open-market-dependent farms [9].
How does labor availability affect vegetable farming?
Vegetable production relies heavily on seasonal hand labor for planting, thinning, harvesting, and packing operations that have proven difficult to mechanize. H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa programs provide a legal labor channel, but compliance costs and housing requirements add overhead. Labor shortages during peak harvest windows can force crop abandonment, directly reducing farm revenue and enterprise value. Mechanical harvesting adoption is expanding for crops like carrots and onions but remains impractical for soft-skinned fruits and hand-picked greens as documented by the USDA ERS[11] farm labor survey [6].
What trends are shaping the vegetable farming industry?
Consumer demand for organic and locally grown vegetables continues to drive premium pricing and acreage expansion in organic production. Protected agriculture using high tunnels and greenhouse structures is extending growing seasons in northern regions. Food safety compliance under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act imposes produce safety rule requirements that add recordkeeping and infrastructure costs. Automation and robotic harvesting technologies remain in early commercial deployment but show promise for reducing labor dependence in select crops as tracked by the USDA Economic Research Service[11] [4].
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [4]USDA NASS nass.usda.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA Office of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]SBA sba.gov
- [9]USDA Risk Management Agency rma.usda.gov
- [10]504/CDC loans sba.gov
- [11]USDA ERS ers.usda.gov
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