NAICS 111333 Quarterly Industry Report
Strawberry Farming
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 111333Sector: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (11)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry profile for Strawberry Farming (NAICS 111333) 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 strawberry farming operations under NAICS 111333.
Industry Definition & Overview
Strawberry Farming (NAICS 111333) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in growing strawberries. The U.S. Census Bureau[3] classifies this industry within the fruit and tree nut farming subsector, covering both fresh-market and processing strawberry production across open-field, high-tunnel, and greenhouse growing systems [1]. California dominates national strawberry production, with the coastal districts of Salinas-Watsonville, Oxnard-Ventura, and Santa Maria generating the majority of fresh-market volume. Florida ranks second, concentrating production in the Plant City and Dover areas where winter harvest timing fills supply gaps during California's low-production months [2]. Strawberries rank among the three largest noncitrus fruit crops alongside grapes and apples, accounting for a substantial share of total noncitrus fruit value per USDA NASS[4] data [3].
U.S. strawberry export value reached approximately $475 million in recent trade data, with Canada, Mexico, and Japan serving as the top destinations, while imports exceeded $591 million as Mexican production fills year-round domestic demand [4]. Revenue depends on seasonal fresh-market pricing at terminal markets, contracted volumes with retail grocery chains, and processing returns for fruit diverted to freezing, jam, and juice manufacturing. Strawberry production is extraordinarily labor-intensive, requiring hand planting, hand harvesting, and rapid post-harvest cooling to maintain the short shelf life of fresh berries [5]. The transition away from methyl bromide soil fumigation following its phaseout under the Montreal Protocol has reshaped production practices, with growers adopting alternative fumigants, substrate culture systems, and organic management approaches that carry higher per-acre costs [6].
What's Included in This Industry
- Fresh market strawberry production in open-field systems
- Processing strawberry growing for frozen and manufactured products
- High-tunnel and greenhouse strawberry production
- Organic strawberry farming and certification programs
- Strawberry transplant and nursery plant production
- Day-neutral and short-day variety cultivation
- U-pick strawberry farm operations
- Substrate and tabletop strawberry growing systems
- Winter strawberry production in Florida and southern states
- Contract strawberry growing for retail and processor buyers
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 11 |
| Subsector | Crop Production | 111 |
| Industry Group | Fruit and Tree Nut Farming | 1113 |
| NAICS Industry | Noncitrus Fruit and Tree Nut Farming | 11133 |
| National Industry | Strawberry Farming | 111333 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 111339 | Other Noncitrus Fruit Farming | Other noncitrus fruit farming covers blueberry, raspberry, and other berry operations that share similar labor requirements, cold chain logistics, and retail distribution channels |
| 111219 | Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming | Other vegetable and melon farming overlaps with strawberry production in many California growing regions where operations alternate between vegetable and berry plantings |
| 311411 | Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing | Frozen fruit manufacturing purchases processing-grade strawberries for individually quick frozen products and frozen fruit blends sold through retail channels |
| 424480 | Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers | Fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers distribute fresh strawberries from cooler facilities to retail grocery chains and food service distributors nationwide |
| 115114 | Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning) | Postharvest crop activities include pre-cooling, grading, and packing strawberries at field-level cooling stations that maintain cold chain integrity from harvest to shipment |
| 311421 | Fruit and Vegetable Canning | Fruit and vegetable canning produces strawberry preserves, jams, and pie filling products that serve as a downstream market for processing-grade berries |
SBA Lending Summary
8
Total SBA Loans
$120K
Total Loan Volume
$15K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
13.50%
Average Interest Rate
48
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[2]
Key Insight: The SBA[8] assigns NAICS 111333 a revenue-based size standard of $5.5 million in average annual receipts, among the highest in the crop farming sector. This elevated threshold reflects the extreme labor intensity and high per-acre revenue of commercial strawberry production, where gross returns can exceed $50,000 per acre on premium California ground. Qualifying businesses access Farm Service Agency loans, USDA disaster assistance, and SBA 7(a) financing for land improvements, drip irrigation installation, and cooling facility construction [7]. Federal crop insurance through the USDA Risk Management Agency[9] covers strawberry production under both yield and revenue protection policies, and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance provides coverage in counties lacking individual crop insurance options [8]. 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 | Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 8 | $120K | $15K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 111333?
NAICS 111333 covers establishments primarily engaged in growing strawberries for fresh market, processing, or direct-to-consumer sales. This includes open-field operations, high-tunnel and greenhouse growers, organic strawberry farms, U-pick operations, and nursery plant producers that supply transplants to commercial growers [1].
What is the SBA size standard for Strawberry Farming?
A strawberry farming operation qualifies as small under SBA guidelines if its average annual receipts do not exceed $5.5 million, measured over the preceding five completed fiscal years. This is among the highest thresholds in crop farming, reflecting the labor-intensive and capital-intensive nature of commercial strawberry production [7].
How is a strawberry farm typically valued for sale?
Strawberry farm valuations emphasize income-based methods because annual replanting makes the crop essentially non-perennial despite its botanical classification. Appraisers evaluate land quality, water rights, cooling and packing infrastructure, established buyer relationships, and labor housing availability. Per-acre land values in premium California coastal districts can exceed $100,000 due to the crop's revenue potential. Leaseback arrangements are common, with land and infrastructure valued separately from the farming operation per USDA ERS[11] specialty crop analyses [6].
What are the major cost drivers for strawberry farming?
Hand-harvest labor is the dominant expense, accounting for roughly 40 to 50 percent of total production costs on most operations. Soil preparation including fumigation, bed formation, and plastic mulch installation requires substantial pre-plant investment each season. Transplant costs for certified nursery plants add further per-acre expense. Cooling and cold chain logistics from field to buyer must maintain temperatures near 32 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve the fruit's short shelf life per industry production guides published by university extension programs [5].
Which states lead U.S. strawberry production?
California produces roughly 75 percent of all U.S. strawberries by volume, with Monterey, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties leading output. Florida ranks second with winter production concentrated in the Plant City and Dover areas of Hillsborough County. North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington contribute smaller but growing volumes. Mexico has become a major supplemental supply source during months when domestic production is limited per USDA NASS[4] berry crop data [2].
How has the methyl bromide phaseout affected strawberry farming?
The phaseout of methyl bromide soil fumigant under the Montreal Protocol has forced growers to adopt alternative approaches including chloropicrin, 1,3-dichloropropene, and non-chemical methods such as anaerobic soil disinfestation and steam treatment. These alternatives are generally less effective or more expensive than methyl bromide for controlling soilborne pathogens like Verticillium and Fusarium. The transition has accelerated interest in substrate culture systems where strawberries grow in soilless media above ground, eliminating fumigation needs entirely but requiring higher capital investment per USDA[12] integrated pest management research [6].
How does labor availability affect the strawberry industry?
Strawberry production is among the most labor-dependent agricultural sectors because the fragile fruit must be hand-picked at precise ripeness and carefully handled to avoid bruising. H-2A temporary worker visa programs provide legal access to seasonal labor, but housing requirements and administrative costs add overhead. Robotic strawberry harvesting prototypes are under development at multiple research institutions, though commercial viability for fresh-market berries remains years away. Labor shortages during peak harvest can result in unharvested fruit and lost revenue documented in USDA ERS[11] farm labor surveys [5].
What trends are shaping the strawberry farming industry?
Year-round domestic production is expanding through greenhouse and high-tunnel systems that extend growing seasons in northern states. Day-neutral varieties that produce fruit continuously rather than in a single spring flush are gaining acreage in California and Florida. Organic strawberry production commands retail premiums of 30 to 50 percent over conventional fruit and continues to grow. Direct-to-consumer and locally branded marketing programs are providing revenue diversification for smaller operations as tracked by the USDA Economic Research Service[11] [3].
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
- [12]USDA usda.gov
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