Citrus Freight, a tech-enabled reefer container shipping platform based in India, has successfully raised ₹2.5 crore in a recent bridge funding round. The company, which focuses exclusively on perishable exports, aims to solve long-standing issues plaguing Indian agricultural exporters through advanced logistics technology. Notably, this fresh infusion of capital brings Citrus Freight’s total funding to ₹5.25 crore, marking a significant milestone in its early growth journey.
The bridge round drew participation from several strategic backers, including Caret Capital, Indigram Labs Foundation, and an undisclosed investor from the shipping industry. With this capital, Citrus Freight plans to strengthen its mobile-first platform, which is specifically designed to support SME agri-exporters. The funding also supports team expansion as the company gears up for its next growth phase.
Tackling Export Challenges With AI and Real-Time Monitoring
Founded in 2021 by Biplob Barik and Ricky Goyal, Citrus Freight emerged to address major bottlenecks in India’s agricultural export chain. The traditional cold-chain logistics space has long suffered from high spoilage rates, unpredictable freight options, and a lack of transparent pricing.
Citrus Freight’s solution leverages an AI-powered platform that provides instant price discovery, smart vessel scheduling, and real-time temperature monitoring. These features empower exporters to ship fresh produce more efficiently and reliably. According to the company, its system reduces spoilage rates to less than 5 percent—an impressive improvement over industry norms. Consequently, SME exporters can improve profit margins by up to 20 percent.
Bridge Round Sets the Stage for Next Big Leap
With the bridge funding secured, Citrus Freight is now preparing for its Pre-Series A round, where it plans to raise $1 million. The company has laid out an ambitious roadmap, aiming to triple its business in the near term. As part of this expansion, Citrus Freight will extend its services into new states, including Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
In addition to growing its domestic footprint, the company also intends to intensify its focus on the lucrative India-Gulf trade corridor. This region has proven vital for Indian exporters, especially those dealing with fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
Projecting Strong Growth Over the Next Two Years
Citrus Freight has set bold yet achievable targets for the coming 12 to 24 months. The company expects to handle over 1,500 containers during this period, significantly increasing its logistics capacity. Simultaneously, it aims to achieve revenue of ₹45 crore, driven by the growing demand for reliable cold-chain logistics services.
Currently, Citrus Freight supports over 25,000 SME agri-exporters and operates with a lean but efficient team of 25 professionals. The team remains committed to transforming India’s fresh produce supply chain and improving the global competitiveness of Indian exporters.
Conclusion: A Bright Road Ahead
Citrus Freight’s successful bridge round signals strong investor faith in its business model, market relevance, and execution capabilities. As the company sharpens its expansion strategy and scales operations, it looks well-positioned to emerge as a leader in AI-driven cold-chain logistics for perishable exports.
