India A Top Food Producer, But Just 2% Agri-Exporter—Logistics Is Missing Link

India is the world’s top producer of fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and marine products—yet we contribute just 2 per cent to global agri-exports, compared to the US at 40 per cent, says Biplob Barik, Co-founder & CEO of Bengaluru-based Citrus Freight.

A serial entrepreneur with a decade of experience in logistics and supply chains, Biplob at Allcargo had built cross-border operations for Bengaluru and Chennai from scratch. He thrives on solving tough problems in logistics.

Biplob told Bizz Buzz in an exclusive interview that despite producing similar volumes, 40 per cent of India's perishables go to waste due to broken logistics and a lack of cold chain infrastructure. In 2024, India's agri-exports were just $50 billion, with perishables making up $30 billion. The potential? He said there is scope for a 10x growth opportunity—if the bottlenecks are removed.

He said Citrus is building the “Cleartrip of Logistics” for perishables. Created a full-stack platform that lets exporters book, track, and manage shipments without middlemen. He said with the use of the right technologies, what took 72 hours now takes just 10 minutes.Built for SMB Exporters – tailored platform for India’s agri-export backbone: FPOs and small businesses, they are keen on helping them grow market access by 30–40 per cent

What inspired you to start Citrus Freight, and how has it disrupted the traditional Agri-Logistics space since 2021?

The inspiration behind Citrus Freight came from a glaring gap in India’s cold chain infrastructure, particularly for the segment of sea freight. Despite being one of the world’s top producers of perishable goods, India contributes a meagre 2 per cent to global exports, largely due to the lack of organized refrigerated shipping solutions. This challenge was especially pronounced for small and mid-sized exporters.

At Citrus Freight, we saw an opportunity to change that. We launched an end-to-end digital platform in 2021 that allows exporters to discover, book, and track reefer containers with real-time temperature visibility and predictive controls. By integrating technology, we’ve drastically reduced spoilage, brought transparency to shipment tracking, and made cold chain logistics more accessible and reliable for Agri-exporters. We are a pioneer in the segment and by offering the segment-first innovative solutions, Citrus Freight is changing the way the logistic services are offered in the Agri and Perishable product categories.

Tell us how you are different from other players in the field....

Citrus Freight offers an end-to-end reefer container booking platform that helps producers export their products globally. Specifically designed to preserve the freshness of perishable products, clients can book the containers in two different capacities of 20 ft and 40 ft. In addition, the company also helps its clients achieve registrations for ports (first-time) and the AD code. By offering holistic solutions for the export of fruits, vegetables, dairy, beef, eggs, and meat, Citrus Freight today has carved a place for itself.

Today the firm is the leading name in the segment of specialized ocean shipping platforms providing digital solutions (mobile app) to SME exporters. The services include Discovering, Booking, & Tracking end-to-end shipments with the lowest spoilage rate with real-time visibility of temperature data & predictive actions around it.

What are your key growth milestones since launch?

One of our biggest early wins was achieving product-market fit with our full-stack platform. By using AI-driven processes, we reduced booking times from 72 hours to just 10 minutes. That alone was a game-changer for many of our clients. We have also helped increase our customers’ market reach by up to 40 per cent while minimizing spoilage rates. Today, Citrus Freight is recognized as the largest exporter of perishable goods from India via ocean freight. These milestones validate our approach and show that there is a real demand for reliable, tech-enabled cold chain logistics. Going forward, we will continue to expand our offerings and grow our footprints to leverage the exciting growth opportunities in this burgeoning sector.

Are there any plans to expand into new markets or regions?

Yes, expansion is definitely on the cards. Having built a strong foundation in the agri-export space, we are now exploring growth into frozen foods, meat, and seafood categories. We are currently in talks to raise $1 million in funding to support this expansion and to enter new geographies where demand for cold chain ocean logistics is growing. The goal is to create a robust, scalable solution that serves exporters across categories and continents.

How do you ensure customer satisfaction and retention?

Our approach to customer satisfaction is rooted in being proactive rather than reactive. We provide clients with a seamless digital experience—from container booking to real-time shipment tracking. Notifications are sent via WhatsApp and email, and we offer consultations round-the-clock. Our platform also provides container quotes in Indian Rupees, which adds convenience and transparency. The fact that we also assist first-time exporters with port registrations and AD code generation reflects our commitment to simplifying the process for our clients. At every step, we are focused on solving problems before they arise, which is why our retention rate remains strong.

What has been the biggest challenge in your entrepreneurial journey so far?

Building a solution for a segment that lacked structure was both the biggest challenge and the biggest opportunity. Convincing stakeholders—exporters, port authorities, and even shipping lines—to trust a tech-led model took time and effort.

The logistics sector traditionally functions on personal relationships and manual processes, so introducing a digital-first platform required a mindset shift across the board. But by staying focused on delivering tangible value—like reducing booking times, spoilage, and operational bottlenecks—we gradually won that trust.

What trends do you see shaping the future of agri-logistics?

Agri-logistics is evolving rapidly, and technology is at the center of this shift. From AI-driven booking systems to IoT-enabled temperature monitoring and predictive analytics, the future is about automation, visibility, and control. Sustainability will also play a key role—clients are demanding not just efficiency but also eco-friendly practices in logistics. We believe that integrated digital platforms, like the one we have built at Citrus Freight, will become the standard in how perishable goods are exported globally.

How do you gather and implement feedback from users?

We consider feedback a vital part of our development cycle. Our mobile app is designed to encourage interaction, and our support teams actively engage with customers during and after their shipments. Feedback is categorized—technical, operational, and experience-based—and routed to relevant teams. Regular product updates and feature rollouts are directly influenced by what our users tell us they need. This feedback loop has been essential in helping us stay relevant, improve service quality, and retain customers.

Is there any funding news?

Citrus Freight has successfully raised Rs 2.5 crore in a bridge funding round, taking its total funding to Rs 5.25 crore to date. The round saw participation from Caret Capital, Indigram Labs Foundation, and a strategic investor from the shipping sector.

The freshly raised capital will be directed towards strengthening the team and scaling Citrus Freight’s technology stack, including enhancements to its mobile-first platform that allows SME exporters to discover, book, and track shipments with real-time temperature visibility, ensuring minimal spoilage and increased export efficiency.