NACE 46.2 – Wholesale of Agricultural Raw Materials and Live Animals | Public Tenders
NACE 46.2: Wholesale of agricultural products in public tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities and procurement procedures for seed, animals and raw materials.
Definition: NACE 46.2 covers the wholesale of agricultural raw materials — including cereals, seed, animal feed, raw tobacco, flowers and plants — and the trade in live animals. This group is relevant in public procurement primarily for authorities with agricultural ties, research institutions and federal undertakings.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 46.2 cover?
NACE 46.2 (Wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals) classifies companies that distribute agricultural raw and basic materials and animals at wholesale on their own account — a segment shaped in public procurement primarily by the procurement needs of state agricultural operations, research stations and veterinary facilities.
Group 46.2 within Division 46 (Wholesale trade) is divided into the following classes:
| Class | Title | Typical goods |
|---|---|---|
| 46.21 | Wholesale of grain, unmanufactured tobacco, seeds and animal feeds | Wheat, barley, maize, soya, rapeseed, hay, straw |
| 46.22 | Wholesale of flowers and plants | Cut flowers, ornamental plants, nursery stock |
| 46.23 | Wholesale of live animals | Livestock, breeding animals, laboratory animals |
| 46.24 | Wholesale of hides, skins and leather | Raw hides, fur skins, leather raw materials |
Public contracting authorities in this segment include federal forestry companies, federal agricultural institutions, veterinary authorities, zoos and animal parks in public ownership, teaching and experimental establishments and food monitoring authorities.
Public Tenders: Scope of NACE 46.2
Wholesale of agricultural raw materials is a niche segment in the public sector — tender volumes arise primarily through state agricultural operations, research facilities and municipal green-space maintenance.
Typical contract types
- Seed and planting stock: Procurement of certified seed for municipal agricultural operations, experimental fields and renaturalisation projects
- Animal feed deliveries: Framework agreements for hay, straw, concentrated feed for horse stables, zoos, animal shelters and teaching/experimental establishments in public ownership
- Nursery stock and urban greening: Supply of trees, shrubs and perennials for municipal greening programmes, road plantings and parks
- Laboratory animals: Procurement of experimental animals for research institutions and universities (strictly regulated under EU Directive 2010/63/EU)
- Cereals and raw materials: Supply to state stockpiling (federal reserves, crisis preparedness), federal schools with an agricultural department
- Raw hides and pelts: Specialist procurement for craft training institutions or restoration workshops
Thresholds and procedure types
Supply contracts in this segment are subject to the EU threshold for supply contracts (EUR 221,000 for other public contracting authorities, as of 2024/2025). Smaller seed or animal feed procurements are frequently handled as direct awards or through framework agreements of municipal procurement bodies. For live animals (in particular laboratory animals), the negotiated procedure without prior publication is possible in certain special cases.
Relevant CPV codes for NACE 46.2
The CPV structure for agricultural raw materials is detailed — a precise CPV search is decisive to avoid missing relevant tenders.
| CPV code | Title | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 03100000 | Agricultural and horticultural products | Cereals, vegetables, fruit, seeds in general |
| 03111000 | Seeds | Certified seed and planting stock |
| 03120000 | Horticultural and nursery products | Flowers, ornamental plants, cut greenery |
| 03121200 | Cut flowers | Cut flowers for municipal and institutional needs |
| 03130000 | Industrial and beverage crops | Raw tobacco, fibre crops, energy crops |
| 03310000 | Fish, crustaceans and aquatic products | Aquaculture products for research/authorities |
| 03320000 | Cattle, sheep, goats and horses | Livestock, breeding animals, service horses (police) |
| 03410000 | Wood | Forestry raw materials from public forest |
Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.
Who is NACE 46.2 relevant for in public procurement?
Public contracting authorities
The most important public contracting authorities under NACE 46.2 are:
- Federal forestry companies and state forestry operations: Österreichische Bundesforste AG, Bayerische Staatsforsten AöR — procurement of forest plants, seed, wildlife feed
- Municipal green space offices: Nursery stock, meadow seed, ground covers for urban greening
- Veterinary authorities and animal disease control: Live animals for monitoring and surveillance purposes
- Universities and research institutes: Laboratory animals (rodents, rabbits) for basic research under §§ 7 ff. TierSchVersV
- Schools with an agricultural focus: Vocational schools, technical schools, agricultural education institutions
Companies and bidders
Wholesalers under NACE 46.2 typically must demonstrate the following in public procurement:
- Trade authorisation: Trade licence, where applicable specific authorisations (seed trade, animal trader authorisation under § 11 TierSchG)
- Certifications: Certified seed trader (ISTA, EU seed law), where applicable organic certification under EU Organic Regulation 2018/848
- Technical capacity: Storage and cooling capacity, transport evidence for live animals (transport authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1/2005)
- Economic and financial capacity: Turnover evidence, insurance for goods transport and live animals
NACE 46.2 in context: Section G and Division 46
NACE 46.2 is part of Division 46 (Wholesale trade) and is closely related to other food and raw material groups in wholesale trade.
- NACE G – Trade: Parent section covering all trade activities
- NACE 46 – Wholesale trade: Division covering all wholesale activities
- NACE 46.1 – Wholesale on a fee or contract basis: Brokers and agents for agricultural products
- NACE 46.3 – Wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco: Processed food, beverages, tobacco
- NACE 01 – Crop and animal production: Producers of agricultural raw materials
Frequently asked questions on NACE 46.2 and public tenders
Which public bodies purchase agricultural raw materials?
Primarily research institutions, agricultural vocational schools, municipal green space offices, state forestry operations and animal disease control facilities. Animal shelters and zoos in public ownership are further relevant customers.
Are organic products preferred in public tenders?
Increasingly so. Following the EU Green Deal and national action plans on sustainable procurement, many contracting authorities specify organic farming (EU Organic Regulation) as a minimum requirement or award criterion. Organic-certified suppliers have competitive advantages in this segment.
How are live animals awarded in public tenders?
Contracts for live animals (in particular laboratory animals) are subject to strict animal welfare requirements and are frequently awarded in the negotiated procedure. Bidders must provide transport authorisations, husbandry standards and species protection evidence.
Can agricultural producers bid directly without acting as wholesalers?
Yes. Producers can bid directly for certain products provided they can deliver the required quantities and qualities. NACE 46.2 is then not the appropriate classification — the producer's NACE class (e.g. 01.11 for cereals) would be authoritative.
Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
Book a demo.
See what BOND finds for your company — tenders, suppliers, and partners you'd never discover on your own. Cancel any month, anytime.