NAICS 424910 Quarterly Industry Report
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 424910Sector: Wholesale Trade (42)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 424910 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and Small Business Administration[6] to profile the farm supplies wholesale distribution sector. Our research team analyzes agricultural input markets, seasonal demand patterns, and regulatory compliance requirements to provide accurate market intelligence for business valuation purposes. The report covers SBA size standards, related NAICS classifications, and the competitive dynamics between independent wholesalers and agricultural cooperatives. Fair Market Value updates this NAICS 424910 profile quarterly to reflect new Census releases and industry developments.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the farm supplies merchant wholesalers industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 424910) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of farm supplies such as animal feeds, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, pesticides, plant seeds, and plant bulbs. These wholesalers serve as the primary supply channel for crop and livestock production operations, connecting chemical manufacturers, seed companies, and feed producers with individual farms, ranches, and agricultural cooperatives across the country.
Seasonal demand patterns drive the business cycle for farm supply wholesalers. Fertilizer and seed purchases concentrate in spring planting months, while crop protection chemicals follow pest and weed pressure cycles through the growing season. Animal feed distribution runs year-round but peaks during winter when livestock rely entirely on stored feed rather than pasture. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], roughly 9,488 establishments operate in this classification, employing about 111,322 workers. This large establishment count reflects the geographically dispersed nature of agriculture and the need for local distribution points close to farming operations.
The SBA[6] sets the size standard at 200 employees for this industry. EPA registration and labeling requirements govern pesticide distribution, requiring wholesalers to maintain product traceability and applicator training documentation. Precision agriculture technology has changed purchasing patterns, as farmers increasingly use GPS-guided variable-rate application data to order site-specific fertilizer blends and targeted crop protection products. Agricultural cooperatives compete directly with independent wholesalers for farm supply market share in many regions, creating a hybrid market structure where member-owned organizations and private businesses compete for the same customer base.
What's Included in This Industry
- Wholesale distribution of animal feeds and supplements
- Distribution of fertilizers including nitrogen, phosphate, and potash
- Wholesale of agricultural chemicals and pesticides
- Distribution of plant seeds and planting stock
- Wholesale of herbicides and weed control products
- Distribution of insecticides and crop protection chemicals
- Wholesale of soil amendments and lime products
- Distribution of livestock health supplements and mineral blocks
- Wholesale of plant bulbs and nursery growing inputs
- Distribution of agricultural biologicals and specialty inputs
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Wholesale Trade | 42 |
| Subsector | Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 424 |
| Industry Group | Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers | 4249 |
| NAICS Industry | Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 42491 |
| National Industry | Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 424910 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 424930 | Flower, Nursery Stock, and Florists' Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes flower, nursery stock, and florist supplies through wholesale channels, with product overlap in seeds, bulbs, and plant materials sold to commercial growers |
| 424510 | Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers | Handles grain and field bean wholesale distribution, connected through the feed grain supply chain that produces raw materials for animal feed products |
| 424520 | Livestock Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes livestock through wholesale channels, representing the production operations that purchase animal feed and health products from farm supply wholesalers |
| 424590 | Other Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers | Handles other farm product raw materials wholesale distribution, sharing agricultural customer bases and rural distribution infrastructure |
| 424690 | Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes other chemical and allied products through wholesale channels, with overlap in industrial chemicals also sold for agricultural applications |
| 424990 | Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers | Handles other miscellaneous nondurable goods wholesale distribution, with some overlap in agricultural-adjacent products and rural supply items |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8.5% | 765 |
| 2 | Illinois | 7.2% | 650 |
| 3 | Iowa | 6.8% | 610 |
| 4 | Texas | 6.1% | 550 |
| 5 | Nebraska | 4.6% | 414 |
| 6 | Kansas | 3.6% | 330 |
| 7 | Missouri | 3.6% | 330 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 3.6% | 326 |
| 9 | Minnesota | 3.2% | 290 |
| 10 | Indiana | 3.2% | 289 |
% Of Establishments
0%
8%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
312
Total SBA Loans
$214.9M
Total Loan Volume
$689K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.29%
Average Interest Rate
2,760
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[6] classifies NAICS 424910 under miscellaneous nondurable goods merchant wholesale trade with a size standard of 200 employees. Businesses at or below this threshold qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs. Farm supply wholesalers can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for seasonal inventory financing, delivery fleet expansion, and working capital during spring planting season. Firms purchasing warehouse, blending facility, or distribution center properties may qualify for 504 loans[9]. Fertilizer storage infrastructure and pesticide handling compliance represent common capital investment needs.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Synovus Bank | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 2 | Merchants Bank of Indiana | 16 | $37.3M | $2.3M |
| 3 | GBC International Bank | 8 | $24.0M | $3.0M |
| 4 | The First National Bank of Evant | 16 | $15.6M | $974K |
| 5 | Live Oak Banking Company | 16 | $14.5M | $909K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 424910?
NAICS 424910 covers merchant wholesalers of farm supplies including animal feeds, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, pesticides, plant seeds, and plant bulbs. These businesses sell directly to farms, ranches, and agricultural cooperatives. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[5]
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 424910?
The SBA sets the size standard at 200 employees for farm supplies 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 many farm supply wholesale businesses operate in the U.S.?
Census data shows roughly 9,488 establishments operating under NAICS 424910, employing about 111,322 workers. The large number of establishments reflects the geographically dispersed nature of agriculture and the need for local distribution points. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[5]
How does seasonality affect farm supply wholesale?
Spring planting drives concentrated demand for fertilizers and seeds. Crop protection chemical purchases follow pest and weed pressure through growing season. Animal feed runs year-round but peaks in winter months. Wholesalers must build inventory ahead of seasonal demand and manage working capital through off-peak periods.
What NAICS codes are related to farm supply wholesalers?
Related wholesale codes include 424930 (nursery stock), 424510 (grain for feed), 424520 (livestock), 424590 (other farm products), and 424690 (other chemicals). Manufacturing codes include 325311 (nitrogen fertilizers), 325320 (pesticides), and 311119 (animal feed). Source: Census NAICS[5]
Can farm supply wholesalers get SBA loans?
Yes, small businesses under NAICS 424910 can access SBA 7(a) loans for seasonal inventory and working capital, 504 loans for facility and blending plant purchases, and microloans for smaller needs. Fertilizer storage infrastructure is a common financing purpose. Source: SBA Loan Programs[10]
How do agricultural cooperatives compete with farm supply wholesalers?
Agricultural cooperatives are member-owned organizations that distribute the same farm supply products as independent wholesalers. Co-ops return profits to farmer-members through patronage dividends, creating a competitive pricing advantage that independent wholesalers counter with service quality and product specialization. Source: USDA[11]
How has precision agriculture changed farm supply distribution?
GPS-guided variable-rate application technology allows farmers to order site-specific fertilizer blends and targeted crop protection products based on field-level soil and yield data. Farm supply wholesalers have invested in custom blending equipment and agronomic advisory services to meet these precision input demands.
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]USDA usda.gov
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