SIC 5147 Meats and Meat Products

SIC 5147

This industry consists of wholesale distributors of fresh, cured, and processed (but not canned or frozen) meats and lard. Establishments engaged in the wholesale distribution of frozen packaged meats are classified under SIC 5142: Packaged Frozen Foods. Establishments engaged in the wholesale distribution of canned meats are classified in SIC 5149: Groceries and Related Products, Not Elsewhere Classified.

NAICS CODE(S)

311612

Meat Processed from Carcasses

422470

Meat and Meat Product Wholesalers

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 3,305 establishments were engaged in the wholesale distribution of meats and meat products in 2001. The total number of establishments climbed to 4,118 in 2003. Combined, they generated approximately $29,955.50 million in sales. The average sales per establishment was about $7.50 million. The workforce climbed to 66,619 people and the average number of people per establishment totaled 16. Most establishments employed under five workers. There were 1,958 businesses that employed five or fewer people. States with the highest number of wholesale distributors were California with 507, New York with 463, Texas with 288, and Illinois with 265. Together, they dominated almost 40 percent of the market. Meats and meat products represented 2,375 establishments, which was more than 57 percent of the market. Fresh meats followed with 1,194 establishments and controlled 29 percent of the overall market. Meat brokers numbered 365 businesses or 8.9 percent of the market.

The Cryovac Division of Sealed Air Corporation, in...