US Wholesalers at $9671 Billion Post 20% Increase in 2021

US merchant wholesalers had sales of $9,671.3 billion in 2021, a 20.4% increase from $8,034.8 billion in 2020, according to estimates from the Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS) released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The AWTS includes statistics about merchant wholesalers of durable and non-durable goods; manufacturers’ sales branches and offices; and wholesale electronic markets, agents and brokers. It produces estimates of sales, e-commerce sales, inventories, purchases and operating expenses.

The latest data along with plummeting fuel prices and decreasing inflation are evidence that the Biden Administration economic program is producing promised results in spite of ongoing Republican opposition. In fact, some maintain that the Democrats are now the party of business after the disastrous Trump years.

Estimates are published at the national level by 2-digit through 4-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Data are also released for NAICS 42343 (Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers) and NAICS 42345 (Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers).

Highlights:

• Lumber and Other Construction Materials Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4233) had sales of $278.4 billion in 2021, up 26.6% from $219.9 billion in 2020.
• Sales of Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4235) increased 53.4%, from $194.7 billion in 2020 to $298.7 billion in 2021.
• Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers’ (NAICS 4245) sales were $266.1 billion in 2021, a 29.4% increase from $205.7 billion in 2020.
• Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers’ (NAICS 4247) sales were $1,425.4 billion in 2021, up 64.6% from $866.1 billion in 2020.

The Census Bureau has conducted this survey annually since 1978. The sample includes ~8400 wholesale firms.