Number of Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
24,777
meat and meat product merchant wholesalers businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The meat and meat product merchant wholesalers industry has declined 6.9% since 2000 (from 26,616 to 24,777 firms).
- •The peak year was 2003 with 26,641 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-0.3%).
- •Employment: 865,322 workers in 2023 (11.5% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 67%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24,777 | 32,158 | 865,322 | 7.4% | 7.7% | +2.7% |
| 2022 | 24,890 | 32,245 | 841,603 | 9.7% | 7.9% | +7.3% |
| 2021 | 24,509 | 31,621 | 784,184 | 8.5% | 10.3% | -5.1% |
| 2020 | 24,570 | 32,096 | 828,247 | 7.3% | 9.1% | -3.9% |
| 2019 | 24,844 | 32,593 | 858,149 | 7.9% | 8.3% | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 24,905 | 32,649 | 855,974 | 7.8% | 8.0% | +3.4% |
| 2017 | 24,983 | 32,822 | 827,945 | 8.4% | 7.8% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | 24,738 | 32,567 | 811,782 | 8.3% | 7.6% | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 24,740 | 32,370 | 806,989 | 10.6% | 7.8% | +3.6% |
| 2014 | 24,628 | 31,403 | 776,824 | 8.5% | 8.3% | +1.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.