| SIC Codes: | 5148 |
| NAICS Codes: | 424480 |
Companies in this industry distribute fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs. Major US companies include American Fruit & Produce Corporation, Coast Citrus Distributors, Caito Foods Service, Southern Specialties, and Tom Lange Company.
Demand is driven by consumption of fruits and vegetables. Profitability depends on maintaining a high quality and varied selection of produce and on efficient operations. Larger distributors benefit from economies of scale in purchasing and transportation. Smaller companies may compete by specializing in certain products, such as tropical fruits or organic products, or by focusing on a geographical area. The industry is fragmented: the 50 largest companies account for about 30 percent of industry revenue.
Distributors' main operations involve getting fruit and vegetables from producers to customers, which include food retailers and foodservice providers. Besides fruit and vegetables, distributors may offer fresh spices and herbs and other products often found in or near grocery store produce departments, including seasonal nuts, salad dressings, tofu, juice, flowers and plants. Distributors may specialize in exotic produce and related products, including Asian specialties such as enoki mushrooms and lotus root and Latin specialties such as corn husks and cactus pads.