India, January 17th, 2025 : In
2021, two university friends, Biplob Barik and Ricky Goyal, turned their shared
vision into a pioneering venture—Citrus Freight.
Based in Bangalore, the company was born with a clear purpose: to simplify
cross-border cold chain logistics and help Indian fresh produce reach global
supermarkets seamlessly.
The journey began years earlier. In 2016,
Biplob and Ricky co-founded a digital freight-forwarding business. It grew into
a ₹6 crore enterprise, but the pandemic’s disruptions led them to rethink their
strategy. Recognizing the challenges faced by agricultural exporters, they
pivoted to create Citrus Freight—India’s first reefer container shipping
platform focused on perishable exports.
Today, Citrus Freight has a 25-member team and
a network of 25,000 exporters who rely on its innovative platform to unlock
international markets.
Bridging
the Gap for Indian Agri-Exports
India is the world’s largest producer of
agricultural goods, yet its share in the global market for perishables is just
2%. High spoilage rates, fragmented supply chains, and cumbersome documentation
prevent exporters from tapping into the full potential of global trade.
Indian produce is divided into three
categories:
- Export Quality:
High-standard produce that meets international benchmarks.
- Supermarket Quality: Goods for urban consumers.
- Mandi Quality:
Produce for local markets.
While established logistics brands serve
supermarket and mandi-quality produce, export-quality perishables remain
underserved. This gap is precisely where Citrus Freight comes in.
Simplifying
Logistics with Technology
Citrus Freight operates like a MakeMyTrip for
reefer shipping. The platform streamlines the end-to-end process from price
discovery to delivery, enabling exporters to focus on their core business.
What
Makes Citrus Freight Different?
- Instant Price and Planning Discovery: Exporters can calculate landed costs, plan shipments, and book
services within seconds. What once took 72 hours now happens in moments.
- Reduced Spoilage Rates: Through real-time temperature monitoring and strict quality
management, Citrus Freight has reduced spoilage rates to below 5%,
compared to the industry average of 20%. This improvement translates to a
20% profit increase for exporters.
- Smart Vessel Scheduling: Using proprietary AI, the platform identifies vessels with
shorter transit times and reliable performance, ensuring faster and safer
deliveries.
Impact
That Matters
Citrus Freight has already transformed the
lives of 25,000 SME agri-exporters. By reducing spoilage, cutting costs, and
improving service quality, the company is making Indian fresh produce a
competitive force in the global market.
Fueling
Growth with Strategic Investments
Backed by leading venture capital firms like
Caret Capital and Intercont Freight Liners, Citrus Freight is well-positioned to
scale further. With India’s agricultural export potential worth billions, the
company aims to redefine the $500 billion global cold chain logistics
landscape.
The
Road Ahead
Citrus Freight’s vision is clear: to empower
Indian exporters, simplify logistics, and create a global footprint for India’s
fresh produce. As it continues to innovate and expand, the company invites
investors and exporters to join its journey of transformation.