NAICS 111334 Quarterly Industry Report
Berry (except Strawberry) Farming
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 111334Sector: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (11)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry profile for NAICS 111334 provides business owners, buyers, and valuation professionals with sector-specific benchmarks and market context for berry farming operations. Additional data is drawn from Bureau of Labor Statistics[5].. Content is compiled from USDA NASS[3] crop reports, Census Bureau[6] economic survey data, and SBA[7] regulatory filings to support informed valuation and transaction analysis.
Industry Definition & Overview
Berry (except Strawberry) Farming (NAICS 111334) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in growing blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, and other non-strawberry berries [1]. The U.S. berry sector has experienced strong demand growth driven by consumer interest in health-oriented fresh produce, with cultivated blueberry production[3] alone reaching a record 789.5 million pounds in 2024, valued at roughly $1.15 billion [2]. Washington, Oregon, and Georgia collectively account for nearly two-thirds of national blueberry output, while raspberry and blackberry cultivation centers in the Pacific Northwest and California. The broader non-strawberry berry category generates more than $1.5 billion in combined annual farm-gate value across all varieties [3].
Berry farms range from small pick-your-own operations to large commercial growers supplying retail chains, processors, and export markets. The industry is highly seasonal and labor-intensive, with harvest windows of just a few weeks for many varieties. Capital requirements include specialized planting stock, trellising systems, cold-storage infrastructure, and increasingly automated sorting and packing lines. Berry operations face cost pressures from labor availability, pest and disease management, and competition from lower-cost imports, particularly from Mexico, Chile, and Peru, which together represent the largest foreign suppliers[4] to the U.S. market [4]. Organic berry production has expanded rapidly over the past decade, with organic blueberry and raspberry acreage growing at double-digit annual rates as consumer premiums reward certified growers.
What's Included in This Industry
- Blueberry farming (cultivated and wild varieties)
- Raspberry farming (red and black varieties)
- Blackberry and boysenberry farming
- Cranberry farming and bog operations
- Currant and gooseberry farming
- Loganberry and marionberry farming
- Huckleberry farming operations
- Other berry farming not elsewhere classified
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 | Berry (except Strawberry) Farming | 111334 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 111333 | Strawberry Farming | Strawberry farming operations that share similar cultivation techniques, labor requirements, and fresh-market distribution channels with other berry crops |
| 111331 | Apple Orchards | Apple orchards representing another major perennial fruit crop with comparable capital investment cycles and cold-storage infrastructure needs |
| 111335 | Tree Nut Farming | Tree nut farming establishments that often operate alongside berry farms in diversified fruit and nut agricultural regions |
| 111339 | Other Noncitrus Fruit Farming | Other noncitrus fruit farming operations including kiwi and passion fruit that compete for similar fresh produce market shelf space |
| 111419 | Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover | Other food crops grown under cover including greenhouse berry production that supplements field-grown seasonal supply |
| 115114 | Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning) | Postharvest crop activities including berry sorting, grading, cooling, and packing services that support farm-gate operations |
SBA Lending Summary
8
Total SBA Loans
$280K
Total Loan Volume
$35K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
12.50%
Average Interest Rate
16
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[2]
Key Insight: The SBA[7] classifies Berry (except Strawberry) Farming under NAICS 111334 with an annual receipts size standard of $3.75 million [5]. Operations at or below this revenue threshold qualify as small businesses for federal contracting preferences, SBA-backed loan programs including the 7(a) and 504 loan products, and USDA farm assistance programs. Most berry farms in the United States fall well within this threshold, as the sector is composed predominantly of family-operated and regional growers.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia Bank | 8 | $280K | $35K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of berries are included in NAICS 111334?
NAICS 111334 covers all berry farming operations except strawberries, which fall under NAICS 111333. Included crops are blueberries (cultivated and wild), raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, cranberries, currants, gooseberries, and loganberries [1]. The U.S. Census Bureau[8] defines the scope based on establishment primary activity in non-strawberry berry production.
What is the SBA size standard for berry farming businesses?
The SBA sets the small business size standard for NAICS 111334 at $3.75 million in average annual receipts [5]. Farms meeting this threshold can access federal small business contracting set-asides, SBA-guaranteed lending programs, and disaster assistance. Per SBA regulations[9], receipts are calculated as a three-year average.
How large is the U.S. blueberry farming industry?
Cultivated blueberry production reached a record 789.5 million pounds in 2024, with a farm-gate value of roughly $1.15 billion [2]. The top producing states are Washington, Oregon, and Georgia, which together account for about two-thirds of national output. Per USDA NASS[3] data, wild blueberry production added another 90.8 million pounds valued at $49.3 million in the same year.
What are the main cost drivers for berry farming operations?
Labor is the largest operating cost, as berry harvesting remains heavily manual despite growing investment in mechanical harvesters. Other cost drivers include plant stock and establishment costs (blueberry bushes take three to five years to reach full production), pest and disease management inputs, irrigation infrastructure, and cold-chain logistics for perishable fresh-market berries. Per USDA ERS[10] commodity analyses, import competition from Mexico and South America also pressures domestic grower margins.
What factors affect the valuation of a berry farm?
Key valuation factors include acreage and productive maturity of plantings, variety mix and yield history, water rights and irrigation capacity, packinghouse and cold-storage assets, customer contracts with retailers or processors, and geographic location relative to major consumption markets. Farms with diversified berry varieties and established direct-to-consumer channels typically command premium multiples over commodity-oriented operations.
How does import competition affect domestic berry growers?
Mexico, Chile, and Peru are the largest foreign suppliers of fresh berries to the U.S. market, with total berry import value exceeding $2.2 billion annually [4]. Year-round import availability has expanded the fresh berry category but compressed domestic pricing during overlapping harvest windows. The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service[4] tracks trade flows showing steady growth in imported blueberries and raspberries over the past decade.
What is the typical revenue range for small berry farms?
Small berry farms commonly generate between $100,000 and $1.5 million in annual revenue, depending on acreage, variety, and marketing channels. Operations selling through direct-to-consumer channels such as pick-your-own, farm stands, and farmers markets often achieve higher per-pound prices than wholesale-oriented farms. Per USDA NASS[3] census data, the majority of berry farms in this classification operate below the SBA's $3.75 million threshold.
What growth trends are shaping the berry farming sector?
Consumer demand for fresh berries continues to grow, driven by health and wellness trends emphasizing antioxidant-rich foods. Organic berry production is expanding rapidly, with organic blueberry acreage increasing substantially over the past five years. Technology investments in precision agriculture, mechanical harvesting, and protected-culture growing systems are helping growers improve yields and extend harvest seasons. Per USDA ERS[10] market outlook reports, domestic per-capita berry consumption has more than doubled over the past two decades.
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]blueberry production nass.usda.gov
- [4]largest foreign suppliers fas.usda.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]Census Bureau census.gov
- [7]SBA sba.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [9]SBA regulations sba.gov
- [10]USDA ERS ers.usda.gov
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