New Delhi [India], February 13: Biplob Barik and Ricky Goyal & founding member Sunil, three university friends with big dreams, set out to revolutionize how India’s fresh produce reaches global markets. Their journey began with a shared passion for problem-solving and a deep understanding of logistics and technology.
In 2016, they launched their first venture, a digital freight forwarding business, which quickly grew into a thriving INR 6 crore enterprise. When the pandemic disrupted the world, they saw an opportunity to pivot. By 2021, Citrus Freight was born with a bold mission: to make India’s fresh produce a global phenomenon by simplifying cross-border cold chain logistics.
The Challenge: Bridging the Gap
India is the largest producer of agricultural and perishable goods, yet its share in the global market remains a meager 2%. Exporters face daunting challenges like:
- High spoilage rates: Mishandling and poor temperature control lead to losses of up to 20%.
- Complex documentation: Layers of paperwork make international shipping a nightmare.
- Poor supply chain visibility: Uncertainty in logistics creates inefficiencies and increases costs.
Despite being categorized as export quality, much of India’s top-grade produce fails to find its way to international shelves. While domestic markets have logistics solutions, the export segment remains underserved.
The Citrus Solution: Simplifying Cold Chain Logistics
Citrus Freight is India’s first reefer container shipping platform, offering end-to-end solutions for perishable exports. Think of it as the MakeMyTrip for agri-exporters. Here’s how Citrus is making waves:
- AI-Driven Price Discovery: Exporters can now discover landed costs and book shipping in seconds. Gone are the days of waiting 72 hours for price clarity.
- Lower Spoilage Rates: By leveraging real-time temperature monitoring and robust quality management, Citrus keeps spoilage under 5%, boosting profits by 20%.
- Smart Vessel Scheduling: Proprietary AI helps exporters identify the best vessels with shorter transit times and reliable performance, ensuring faster and safer deliveries.
Making a Global Impact
The Citrus Freight team, now 25 members strong, supports 25,000 SME agri-exporters. By simplifying logistics, they’ve unlocked the potential of Indian fresh produce in international markets. Exporters can now focus on growth, knowing their logistics are in expert hands.
The platform has also attracted the attention of prominent VCs like Caret Capital and Intercont Freight Liners. With their support, Citrus Freight is set to scale new heights.
A Vision for the Future
Biplob and Ricky’s vision goes beyond business. They’re building a bridge for Indian farmers and exporters to the world, one container at a time. With Citrus Freight, Indian produce is no longer bound by borders.
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