NAICS 424440 Quarterly Industry Report
Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant Wholesalers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 424440Sector: Wholesale Trade (42)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 424440 synthesizes data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and Small Business Administration[6] to profile the poultry product wholesale sector. Our research team analyzes protein distribution data and poultry market patterns to provide accurate intelligence for business valuation. The report covers SBA size standards, related NAICS classifications, and USDA regulatory requirements affecting poultry distribution. Fair Market Value updates this NAICS 424440 profile quarterly to reflect new Census releases and poultry industry developments.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the poultry and poultry product merchant wholesalers industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 424440) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of poultry and poultry products in fresh, chilled, or otherwise non-frozen and non-canned forms. Product categories include whole chickens, chicken parts, fresh turkey, duck, game birds, eggs for food service and institutional channels, and processed poultry products such as deli meats and prepared chicken items. This classification specifically excludes packaged frozen poultry (classified under frozen food wholesaling), canned poultry (other grocery wholesaling), and live chicks (farm product raw materials).
The industry operates within a tightly integrated poultry supply chain where large processors control much of the production from hatchery through processing. Independent wholesalers fill distribution gaps by serving smaller retailers, ethnic food markets, food service operations, and institutional buyers who require specialized cuts, custom processing, or delivery schedules that major processors cannot efficiently provide. Cold chain management is critical; fresh poultry must maintain temperatures between 26 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit throughout distribution. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], merchant wholesalers take title to poultry products before distributing them to downstream customers.
The SBA[6] sets the size standard at 150 employees for this industry. Roughly 294 establishments operate nationwide, employing about 9,686 workers. USDA inspection requirements govern poultry product handling, storage, and transportation, with continuous inspection mandated at processing facilities. Food safety concerns including Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination drive rigorous handling protocols throughout the distribution chain. Organic, free-range, and antibiotic-free poultry products have created premium distribution niches where specialty wholesalers command higher margins than commodity chicken distributors.
What's Included in This Industry
- Wholesale distribution of fresh whole chickens and chicken parts
- Distribution of fresh turkey and turkey products
- Wholesale of duck, game birds, and specialty poultry
- Distribution of processed poultry deli meats and prepared items
- Wholesale of eggs for food service and institutional channels
- Distribution of organic and free-range poultry products
- Wholesale of fresh poultry for ethnic and specialty markets
- Distribution of marinated and seasoned poultry products
- Wholesale of poultry giblets and offal products
- Distribution of fresh ground poultry and formed products
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Wholesale Trade | 42 |
| Subsector | Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 424 |
| Industry Group | Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers | 4244 |
| NAICS Industry | Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant Wholesalers | 42444 |
| National Industry | Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant Wholesalers | 424440 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 424470 | Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes meat and meat products through wholesale channels, sharing cold chain infrastructure and often serving the same retail and food service protein buyers |
| 424420 | Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers | Handles packaged frozen food wholesale distribution, specifically covering frozen poultry products that are excluded from this fresh poultry wholesale classification |
| 424490 | Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers | Covers other grocery wholesale distribution including canned poultry products, which are excluded from this fresh and chilled poultry distribution category |
| 424410 | General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes a general line of groceries, sometimes including poultry products within broader perishable food assortments for independent grocery retailers |
| 424590 | Other Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers | Handles other farm product raw materials including live chicks, which are excluded from this processed poultry product wholesale classification |
| 311615 | Poultry Processing | Operates poultry processing plants that slaughter and dress poultry, providing the processed product that these wholesalers distribute to retail and food service |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 17.6% | 75 |
| 2 | New York | 9.4% | 40 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 7.1% | 30 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 6.1% | 26 |
| 5 | Florida | 5.9% | 25 |
| 6 | Georgia | 5.2% | 22 |
| 7 | Texas | 4.9% | 21 |
| 8 | Illinois | 4.2% | 18 |
| 9 | Maryland | 3.5% | 15 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 2.6% | 11 |
% Of Establishments
0%
18%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
64
Total SBA Loans
$45.5M
Total Loan Volume
$711K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.77%
Average Interest Rate
824
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[6] classifies NAICS 424440 under merchant wholesale trade with a size standard of 150 employees. Businesses at or below this threshold qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs. Poultry wholesalers can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for inventory financing and refrigerated fleet investment. Firms expanding cold storage or processing facilities may qualify for 504 loans[9]. USDA compliance infrastructure and food safety equipment create additional capital needs that SBA-backed financing helps smaller poultry distributors address.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First National Bank of Pennsylvania | 16 | $19.3M | $1.2M |
| 2 | First American Bank | 8 | $18.9M | $2.4M |
| 3 | Lendistry SBLC, LLC | 8 | $4.0M | $500K |
| 4 | The Huntington National Bank | 24 | $2.7M | $111K |
| 5 | Northeast Bank | 8 | $680K | $85K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 424440?
NAICS 424440 includes merchant wholesalers distributing fresh and chilled poultry products such as whole chickens, chicken parts, turkey, duck, game birds, poultry deli meats, and eggs for food service channels. These firms buy from processors and distribute to retailers, restaurants, and institutions. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[5]
How is NAICS 424440 different from frozen poultry wholesaling?
NAICS 424440 covers fresh and chilled poultry products only. Packaged frozen poultry falls under NAICS 424420 (frozen food wholesalers), canned poultry under NAICS 424490, and live chicks under NAICS 424590. The distinction separates fresh cold chain distribution from frozen storage distribution.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 424440?
The SBA sets the size standard at 150 employees for poultry and poultry product merchant wholesalers. Businesses at or below this level qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA financing programs. Source: SBA Size Standards[6]
What NAICS codes are related to poultry wholesaling?
Key related codes include 424470 (meat wholesalers), 424420 (frozen food wholesalers), 424490 (other grocery wholesalers), 311615 (poultry processing), and 424590 (farm product raw materials handling live chicks). Source: Census NAICS[5]
What industries interact most with poultry wholesalers?
Primary customers include supermarkets, independent grocers, ethnic food markets, restaurants, fast food chains, school cafeterias, and hospital food services. Upstream partners include poultry processors and integrated poultry companies. USDA inspectors oversee handling compliance throughout the distribution chain.
What products are included in NAICS 424440?
Products include fresh whole chickens, chicken parts, turkey, duck, game birds, processed poultry deli meats, eggs for food service, organic and free-range poultry, marinated products, ground poultry, and poultry giblets. Frozen, canned, and live poultry are excluded. Source: Census Bureau[5]
Can poultry wholesalers get SBA loans?
Yes, small businesses under NAICS 424440 can access SBA 7(a) loans for inventory and refrigerated fleet investment, 504 loans for cold storage facilities, and microloans for smaller capital needs. USDA compliance requirements and food safety infrastructure create additional financing needs. Source: SBA Loan Programs[10]
Where are poultry wholesalers concentrated?
Poultry wholesalers concentrate near major population centers and poultry production regions. Key areas include the Southeast (Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas), the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia), and major urban markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago where diverse food service demand supports specialty poultry distribution. Source: BLS QCEW[11]
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. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]SBA sba.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loans sba.gov
- [10]SBA Loan Programs sba.gov
- [11]BLS QCEW bls.gov
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