NAICS 424930 Quarterly Industry Report
Flower, Nursery Stock, and Florists' Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 424930Sector: Wholesale Trade (42)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 424930 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and Small Business Administration[6] to profile the flower, nursery stock, and florist supply wholesale sector. Our research team analyzes perishable logistics, seasonal demand patterns, and import market dynamics to provide accurate market intelligence for business valuation purposes. The report covers SBA size standards, related NAICS classifications, and the holiday-driven demand cycles shaping floral distribution. Fair Market Value updates this NAICS 424930 profile quarterly to reflect new Census releases and industry developments.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the flower, nursery stock, and florists' supplies merchant wholesalers industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Flower, Nursery Stock, and Florists' Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 424930) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of flowers, florist supplies, and nursery stock, excluding plant seeds and plant bulbs. Product categories include cut flowers (roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, lilies), potted plants, flowering and foliage plants, trees and shrubs for landscaping, ground cover, and florist supplies such as vases, ribbon, foam, and wrapping materials.
Perishability defines the operational model for cut flower distribution. Fresh flowers lose commercial value within days of harvest, requiring cold chain logistics, rapid inventory turnover, and same-day or next-day delivery to retail florists and event planners. Imported flowers, primarily from Colombia and Ecuador, arrive at Miami International Airport and other gateway facilities before moving through wholesale distribution to markets nationwide. Domestic flower production from California, Washington, and other states supplies regional markets with locally grown varieties. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], roughly 1,900 establishments operate in this classification, employing about 48,136 workers.
The SBA[6] sets the size standard at 100 employees for this industry. Nursery stock distribution follows different seasonal patterns than cut flowers, with peak demand during spring and fall planting seasons driven by landscape construction and garden center restocking. Holiday periods including Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas create dramatic demand spikes for cut flowers that require wholesalers to coordinate advance ordering and expanded cold storage capacity weeks ahead of each event.
What's Included in This Industry
- Wholesale distribution of fresh cut flowers and bouquets
- Distribution of potted plants and flowering plants
- Wholesale of trees, shrubs, and landscaping nursery stock
- Distribution of foliage plants and tropical greenery
- Wholesale of florist supplies including vases and ribbon
- Distribution of floral foam, wrapping materials, and containers
- Wholesale of imported flowers from international growers
- Distribution of dried and preserved floral products
- Wholesale of bedding plants and seasonal annuals
- Distribution of ground cover and ornamental grasses
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 | Flower, Nursery Stock, and Florists' Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 42493 |
| National Industry | Flower, Nursery Stock, and Florists' Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 424930 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 424910 | Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes farm supplies including plant seeds and bulbs through wholesale channels, with product overlap in agricultural growing inputs sold to commercial nurseries |
| 424990 | Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers | Handles other miscellaneous nondurable goods wholesale distribution, including cut Christmas trees that share seasonal distribution patterns with nursery stock |
| 424480 | Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes fresh fruits and vegetables through wholesale channels, sharing perishable cold chain logistics requirements with cut flower distribution operations |
| 424490 | Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers | Handles other grocery product wholesale distribution, sharing retail customer bases in grocery and specialty stores that carry floral departments |
| 424590 | Other Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers | Distributes other farm product raw materials through wholesale channels, with connections through the agricultural production supply chain for nursery products |
| 424410 | General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers | Handles general line grocery wholesale distribution, serving supermarket accounts that operate floral departments stocked through wholesale flower channels |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 16.8% | 651 |
| 2 | Florida | 15.0% | 584 |
| 3 | Texas | 7.3% | 284 |
| 4 | New York | 7.0% | 270 |
| 5 | Georgia | 4.0% | 155 |
| 6 | New Jersey | 4.0% | 154 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 3.2% | 124 |
| 8 | Washington | 3.1% | 121 |
| 9 | Illinois | 3.0% | 117 |
| 10 | Michigan | 2.6% | 102 |
% Of Establishments
0%
17%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
376
Total SBA Loans
$263.2M
Total Loan Volume
$700K
Average Loan Size
12 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.52%
Average Interest Rate
2,736
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[6] classifies NAICS 424930 under miscellaneous 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. Flower and nursery wholesalers can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for cold storage infrastructure, delivery fleet expansion, and working capital during peak holiday periods. Firms purchasing wholesale market facilities or distribution centers may qualify for 504 loans[9]. Refrigerated transportation equipment and cold storage capacity represent the most common capital investment needs.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hancock Whitney Bank | 16 | $52.7M | $3.3M |
| 2 | Live Oak Banking Company | 24 | $36.8M | $1.5M |
| 3 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 8 | $31.4M | $3.9M |
| 4 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 40 | $29.2M | $729K |
| 5 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 32 | $23.4M | $732K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 424930?
NAICS 424930 covers merchant wholesalers of flowers, nursery stock, and florist supplies. These businesses distribute cut flowers, potted plants, trees, shrubs, and floral accessories to florists, garden centers, landscape contractors, and supermarket floral departments. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[5]
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 424930?
The SBA sets the size standard at 100 employees for flower, nursery stock, and florist supply 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 flower and nursery wholesalers operate in the U.S.?
Census data shows roughly 1,900 establishments operating under NAICS 424930, employing about 48,136 workers. The industry includes both large national distributors and regional wholesale markets serving local florists and landscapers. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[5]
Where do wholesale flowers come from?
Imported cut flowers, primarily from Colombia and Ecuador, enter through Miami International Airport and other gateway facilities. Domestic production from California, Washington, and other states supplies regional markets. Holiday demand spikes require advance coordination with both international and domestic growers.
What NAICS codes are related to flower wholesalers?
Related wholesale codes include 424910 (farm supplies with seeds and bulbs), 424990 (miscellaneous nondurable goods), and 424480 (fresh produce sharing cold chain needs). Production codes include 111421 (nursery production) and 111422 (floriculture). Source: Census NAICS[5]
Can flower and nursery wholesalers get SBA loans?
Yes, small businesses under NAICS 424930 can access SBA 7(a) loans for cold storage and working capital, 504 loans for facility purchases, and microloans for smaller needs. Refrigerated fleet and cold storage capacity are common financing purposes. Source: SBA Loan Programs[10]
How do holidays affect flower wholesale distribution?
Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas create extreme demand spikes that can triple or quadruple normal volumes. Wholesalers coordinate advance purchasing from growers weeks ahead, expand cold storage capacity, and hire temporary workers to handle peak delivery schedules during these critical selling periods.
Are plant seeds and bulbs included in NAICS 424930?
No, plant seeds and plant bulbs are excluded from NAICS 424930 and classified under NAICS 424910 (Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers). NAICS 424930 covers live plants, cut flowers, nursery stock, and florist accessories but not propagation materials. Source: Census NAICS[5]
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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