USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series: Class 31 – Natural Agricultural Products

Welcome back to our USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series, where we break down each trademark class to help businesses categorize and protect their brands.

In this installment, we’re covering Trademark Class 31, which includes fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, live animals, and other natural agricultural products. If your business produces, sells, or distributes these types of goods, this class may be the right fit for your trademark.

If you’ve ever asked, “Can I trademark my farm’s produce?” or “Does my product fall under Class 31?”, this guide will help clarify whether this classification is appropriate for your brand.

What is Trademark Class 31?

Trademark Class 31 covers natural, unprocessed agricultural products that are not classified as food products. These include fresh produce, grains, plants, and live animals used for farming or food production.

Some examples of goods that might fall under Trademark Class 31 include:

• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, oranges, lettuce, tomatoes

• Grains and Agricultural Crops: Wheat, corn, barley, oats

• Live Animals and Fish: Livestock, poultry, shellfish, aquaculture products

• Plants and Flowers: Seeds, seedlings, live plants, floral arrangements

• Animal Feed and Forage: Hay, straw, pet food, birdseed

If your product is a fresh, natural, or live agricultural good that has not been processed, Trademark Class 31 is likely the correct classification.

Why Trademark Class 31 Matters for Your Business

Registering a trademark under Class 31 helps protect your brand within the agriculture, farming, and fresh food industries. Here’s why filing in this class might be important:

1. Prevents brand confusion – Many agricultural products are marketed with similar names. A registered trademark ensures your brand is unique and legally protected.

2. Protects against counterfeiting and imitation – The agriculture and organic food industries face increasing threats from counterfeit branding. A trademark helps prevent unauthorized businesses from using your farm’s name or product brand.

3. Strengthens brand reputation and trust – Customers associate fresh produce and organic brands with quality and sustainability. A trademark reinforces your credibility and consumer trust.

4. Supports business expansion – If you plan to expand into different types of agricultural products or fresh food markets, a trademark in Class 31 ensures long-term brand protection.

Examples of Trademarks in Class 31

Many well-known farming, agriculture, and fresh food brands have trademarks registered under Class 31. Here are a few examples:

1. Driscoll’s® – Protects its brand for fresh berries and fruit.

2. Chiquita® – Covers bananas and other tropical fruit products.

3. Blue Buffalo® – Trademarks its name for pet food and animal feed.

   
   

These companies rely on trademark protection to preserve their brand identity and prevent unauthorized use of their names and product labeling.

Do You Need a Trademark Search Before Filing in Class 31?

A comprehensive trademark search is strongly recommended before applying in Class 31. Many agricultural brands have overlapping names, increasing the likelihood of conflicts in this category.

At Brand Diplomacy, we conduct in-depth trademark searches to ensure your brand has the best chance of approval. Here’s how we help:

• USPTO Database Search – Identifying similar trademarks that could cause conflicts.

• Approval Risk Assessment – Evaluating potential obstacles and improving your application’s success rate.

• Trademark Strategy Development – Refining your application to reduce the risk of disputes.

How to Determine if Class 31 is Right for Your Trademark

If you’re unsure whether Trademark Class 31 is the correct category for your product, consider the following:

1. Is your product fresh, raw, or unprocessed?

   • If it’s a fresh fruit, vegetable, or grain, Class 31 is likely appropriate.

2. Is your product a live animal, plant, or seed?

   • Livestock, seeds, flowers, and fish belong in Class 31.

3. Does your product overlap with other classes?

   • Some agricultural and food-related products may require multiple classifications. Examples include:

     • Processed foods (e.g., dried fruit, frozen vegetables) may need Class 29 (Meats & Processed Foods).

     • Beverages made from fresh fruits or vegetables (e.g., fruit juice, bottled smoothies) could belong in Class 32 (Non-Alcoholic Beverages).

     • Fertilizers and plant growth regulators might require Class 1 (Chemicals & Industrial Products).

If your product crosses multiple categories, filing in more than one class might be necessary for full brand protection.

How Brand Diplomacy Can Help

At Brand Diplomacy, we simplify the trademark process for farmers, food producers, and agriculture businesses.

Whether you’re launching a new organic produce line, protecting a livestock brand, or expanding into the pet food industry, we provide expert guidance every step of the way.

Here’s how we assist with Class 31 trademark registrations:

• Trademark Search & Clearance – Ensuring your brand name is available before filing.

• Class Selection Guidance – Helping determine if Class 31 is the right choice or if additional classes should be included.

• Application Filing & Management – Handling the USPTO process to maximize approval success.

• Trademark Monitoring & Enforcement – Protecting your trademark from unauthorized use and counterfeits.

If you’re ready to secure your brand in Class 31, contact us today to get started.

What’s Next in Our Trademark Class Series?

Thank you for exploring Trademark Class 31: Natural Agricultural Products with us! Up next, we’ll cover Trademark Class 32: Non-Alcoholic Beverages, where we’ll discuss trademarks for juices, soft drinks, energy drinks, and bottled water.

Stay tuned as we continue guiding you through the USPTO trademark classes, helping you make informed decisions for your brand!