SIC code 01640 — Seed processing for propagation — is a specialist classification with 77 active companies in the UK. Despite its small size, this category represents an important part of the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector. It falls under Section A (Agriculture, forestry and fishing) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.
See the full industry analysis on the Seed processing for propagation industry page.
With a 89% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 1 of 87 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. The average company age is 13.7 years, indicating an established sector with a mix of long-running businesses and newer entrants. Growth has been exceptional recently: 44% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 31%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. The highest concentration of seed processing for propagation companies is in LONDON, with 9 active firms (12% of the sector).
SIC code 01640 stands for "Seed processing for propagation" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section A — Agriculture, forestry and fishing. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.
There are currently 77 active companies registered under SIC code 01640 in the UK, out of 87 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 89%, meaning 11% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.
The top locations for seed processing for propagation companies (SIC 01640) are: LONDON (9). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.
The sector is growing: 44% of currently active SIC 01640 companies were formed since 2020, and 31% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for seed processing for propagation services in the UK.
Companies classified under SIC 01640 have an average age of 13.7 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include SYNGENTA LIMITED, MCCAIN FOODS (G.B.) LIMITED.
Related SIC codes within the same division include: 01500 (Mixed farming), 01110 (Growing of cereals (except rice), leguminous crops and oil seeds), 01610 (Support activities for crop production), 01430 (Raising of horses and other equines). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.
You can search for companies with SIC code 01640 (Seed processing for propagation) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.
Search, filter, and analyse 77 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.
Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.