NAICS 424490 Quarterly Industry Report
Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 424490Sector: Wholesale Trade (42)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 424490 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and Small Business Administration[6] to profile the miscellaneous grocery products wholesale distribution sector. Our research team analyzes distribution patterns across multiple product segments to provide accurate market intelligence for business valuation purposes. The report covers SBA size standards, related NAICS classifications, and the regulatory environment governing packaged food distribution. Fair Market Value updates this NAICS 424490 profile quarterly to reflect new Census releases and industry developments.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the other grocery and related products merchant wholesalers industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 424490) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of groceries and related products not classified in more specific food wholesale categories. This classification excludes general line groceries, packaged frozen foods, dairy products, poultry, confectioneries, fish and seafood, meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables, each of which has its own NAICS code. Product lines captured here include canned foods, dried goods, coffee and tea, spices and seasonings, bottled water, soft drinks, snack foods, baking supplies, condiments, and ethnic or specialty food items.
The catchall nature of this code creates a diverse industry where individual businesses typically specialize in narrow product segments rather than distributing across the full range of items classified here. A coffee and tea distributor operates under different sourcing dynamics and customer relationships than a canned goods wholesaler or a bottled water distributor. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], establishments must take ownership title to the goods they distribute, distinguishing merchant wholesalers from brokers and commission agents. Establishments that bottle and distribute spring and mineral water processed by others also fall within this classification.
The SBA[6] sets the size standard at 100 employees for this industry. FDA food safety regulations govern labeling, storage, and handling requirements for the packaged food products distributed under this code. Shelf-stable products carry lower cold chain requirements than perishable food categories, reducing distribution infrastructure costs. Private label and store brand distribution has expanded as grocery retailers seek margin improvement through direct relationships with specialty food wholesalers. Import sourcing plays a notable role in coffee, tea, spices, and ethnic food product distribution within this classification.
What's Included in This Industry
- Wholesale distribution of canned and packaged food products
- Distribution of coffee, tea, and related beverage products
- Wholesale of spices, seasonings, and condiments
- Distribution of bottled water and soft drink products
- Wholesale of snack foods and baking supplies
- Distribution of ethnic and specialty food products
- Wholesale of dried fruits, nuts, and trail mixes
- Distribution of canned and shelf-stable seafood products
- Wholesale of sauces, dressings, and prepared food items
- Distribution of spring and mineral water bottled by others
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 | Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers | 42449 |
| National Industry | Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers | 424490 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 424410 | General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes a general line of groceries including many of the same product categories, distinguished by carrying a full range rather than specializing in specific items |
| 424420 | Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers | Handles packaged frozen food wholesale distribution, covering frozen versions of many product types that also exist in shelf-stable form under this code |
| 424430 | Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes dairy products through wholesale channels, representing another specialized food category carved out from this general grocery classification |
| 424450 | Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers | Handles confectionery wholesale distribution, with product overlap in candy, chocolate, and snack items that some grocery wholesalers also carry |
| 424460 | Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes fresh fish and seafood through wholesale channels, while canned and packaged seafood products fall under this other grocery classification |
| 424480 | Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers | Handles fresh fruit and vegetable wholesale distribution, while dried, canned, and processed produce items fall within this other grocery code |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 15.9% | 2,363 |
| 2 | New York | 9.5% | 1,403 |
| 3 | Florida | 7.4% | 1,093 |
| 4 | Texas | 7.2% | 1,069 |
| 5 | New Jersey | 4.6% | 682 |
| 6 | Illinois | 4.2% | 619 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 3.0% | 449 |
| 8 | Georgia | 2.8% | 407 |
| 9 | Michigan | 2.6% | 384 |
| 10 | Ohio | 2.5% | 375 |
% Of Establishments
0%
16%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
1,400
Total SBA Loans
$750.3M
Total Loan Volume
$536K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.54%
Average Interest Rate
11,448
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[6] classifies NAICS 424490 under nondurable goods merchant wholesale trade with a size standard of 100 employees. Businesses at or below this threshold qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs. Grocery product wholesalers can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for inventory financing, warehouse equipment, and working capital needs. Firms purchasing distribution center or warehouse facilities may qualify for 504 loans[9]. FDA labeling compliance and food safety infrastructure represent common financing needs across the diverse product categories within this code.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | 120 | $85.3M | $711K |
| 2 | TD Bank, National Association | 176 | $84.2M | $479K |
| 3 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 256 | $76.9M | $300K |
| 4 | Community National Bank | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 5 | Financial Resources Federal Credit Union | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 424490?
NAICS 424490 covers merchant wholesalers of grocery products not classified in specific food wholesale categories. This includes distributors of canned foods, coffee, tea, spices, bottled water, snack foods, condiments, ethnic foods, and other shelf-stable products. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[5]
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 424490?
The SBA sets the size standard at 100 employees for other grocery and related products merchant wholesalers. Businesses at or below this employee count qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA financing programs. Source: SBA Size Standards[6]
How does NAICS 424490 differ from general line grocery wholesale?
NAICS 424410 covers wholesalers that distribute a general (broad) line of grocery products, while 424490 covers businesses specializing in specific grocery product categories not classified elsewhere. A spice distributor or bottled water wholesaler would fall under 424490, not 424410.
What products are excluded from NAICS 424490?
Products with their own NAICS codes are excluded: general line groceries (424410), packaged frozen food (424420), dairy products (424430), poultry (424440), confectioneries (424450), fish and seafood (424460), meat products (424470), and fresh fruits and vegetables (424480). Source: Census NAICS[5]
What NAICS codes are related to NAICS 424490?
Related wholesale codes include 424410 (general line groceries), 424420 (packaged frozen foods), 424430 (dairy), 424450 (confectioneries), 424460 (fish and seafood), and 424480 (fresh produce). Manufacturing supply codes include 311920 (coffee and tea) and 311941 (sauces and dressings). Source: Census NAICS[5]
Can other grocery product wholesalers get SBA loans?
Yes, small businesses under NAICS 424490 can access SBA 7(a) loans for inventory and working capital, 504 loans for warehouse facility purchases, and microloans for smaller needs. Import financing and FDA compliance infrastructure are common funding purposes. Source: SBA Loan Programs[10]
Does bottled water distribution fall under NAICS 424490?
Yes, establishments primarily engaged in the bottling and merchant wholesale distribution of spring and mineral water processed by others are included in NAICS 424490. This covers wholesale distribution, not the manufacturing or bottling at the source. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[5]
What drives competition in miscellaneous grocery wholesaling?
Competition centers on product selection breadth, delivery reliability, pricing, and the ability to source specialty or imported items. Private label growth has expanded opportunities for wholesalers that can manage contract packing relationships and deliver store brand products alongside national brands.
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
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