NACE A – Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | Public Tenders

NACE A: Agriculture, forestry and fishing in public tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities and contracts in the agricultural sector.

Definition: NACE Section A covers all economic activities relating to crop and animal production, forestry, and fishing and aquaculture. In public procurement, this section is particularly relevant through service contracts for landscape management, forest management and food supplies to public institutions.

What does NACE A cover?

Division	Title	Brief description
01	Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities	Crop and animal production, growing of crops, animal husbandry
02	Forestry and logging	Management of forests, timber harvesting, forestry services
03	Fishing and aquaculture	Marine and freshwater fishing, aquaculture

Public Tenders in Agriculture and Forestry

In the NACE A segment, the public sector acts primarily as a buyer of service contracts — whether for the maintenance of public green spaces, forestry management services in state-owned woodlands, or the supply of food to canteens and catering facilities.

Typical Contract Types

Forestry services: Timber harvesting, afforestation, forest road construction and woodland management for federal and state forests
Landscape management: Roadside mowing, green-space maintenance on public land, biotope care
Food supplies: Fresh produce for the armed forces, correctional facilities, schools and hospitals
Agricultural services: Pest control and plant protection on public land
Fishing rights and water management: Award of leasehold rights for public waters

Thresholds

Supply contracts (e.g. food) are subject to EU-wide tendering from EUR 221,000 (EU threshold for supply and service contracts, 2024/2025). Service contracts in the forestry and agricultural sectors are often tendered nationally.

Common CPV Codes

CPV Code	Title	Scope
77100000	Agricultural services	Crop farming, plant protection
77200000	Forestry services	Timber harvesting, afforestation, woodland management
77300000	Horticultural services	Green-space maintenance, landscape management
03100000	Agricultural products and live animals	Food supplies
03400000	Forestry products and timber	Timber supplies
03311000	Fish	Fish supplies for community catering

Contracting Authorities

The following public contracting authorities are particularly active in the NACE A segment:

Federal and state forestry enterprises: ÖBf AG (Austria), Bundesforst (Germany) as managers of publicly owned woodland
Regions and municipalities: Award of green-space and forestry services
Federal ministries: Procurement of agricultural products for barracks, correctional facilities and federal institutions
Schools and universities: Supply of organic food under sustainable procurement strategies
Nature conservation authorities: Maintenance work in protected areas, restoration measures

FAQ

What tenders are available for forestry businesses? Forestry contractors find work primarily in timber harvesting, afforestation and forest road construction with federal forests, state forests and municipal forestry administrations. Tendering is usually national, since contract values often fall below the EU thresholds. Relevant CPV codes are 77200000 ff.

Can agricultural businesses participate in public tenders? Yes, particularly in food supplies (fresh produce, vegetables, meat) for public institutions. Regional procurement strategies increasingly favour local producers. Certification requirements (organic, HACCP) and proof of supply capability must be observed.

Are there special rules for fishing businesses? Fish supplies to public institutions fall under the general procurement rules for supply contracts. Specific tenders for fishery services (e.g. water management) are awarded by waterway administrations and environmental authorities.

Last updated: January 2026 All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.