India’s cold chain gets a digital upgrade with Citrus Freight

India’s cold chain logistics sector is at an inflection point. Despite being one of the world’s largest producers of perishable goods, the country faces massive post-harvest losses and low export realisation due to fragmented infrastructure and opaque processes. As exporters navigate the growing demand for temperature-sensitive shipping, a new wave of tech-driven logistics platforms is stepping in to close the efficiency gap.

Among the companies leading this shift is Citrus Freight, a full-stack reefer logistics platform founded to simplify end-to-end cold chain exports. At the helm is Biplob Barik, Co-founder and CEO, whose mission is to help Indian exporters, particularly agri and seafood producers, move perishable cargo with greater visibility, reliability and control. In this interview, Barik discusses the company’s technology-driven model, the challenges facing perishable exporters, and what it will take for India’s cold chain ecosystem to scale sustainably and competitively.

What specific gaps in India’s cold chain logistics prompted you to launch Citrus Freight, and how is the platform addressing them today?
India, despite being one of the world’s largest producers of perishable goods, contributes only about 2% to global exports due to systemic inefficiencies in cold chain logistics. A significant share of agricultural produce goes to waste every year due to fragmented logistics, poor visibility, unreliable container availability, and unclear pricing. Citrus Freight was launched to address this gap with a full-stack digital platform tailored to the needs of agri- and perishable exporters. We focus on digital rate discovery booking, reducing cargo spoilage, improving container turnaround times, and offering real-time tracking, all through a streamlined tech interface. Our goal is to simplify and standardise reefer shipping for Indian exporters and connect them to global markets with confidence.

Citrus Freight claims to offer end-to-end reefer container shipping. How does your model work from the point of cargo booking to final delivery?
Our end-to-end model is designed to simplify the export journey for temperature- sensitive goods. Exporters begin by booking containers through our app or platform. where they receive instant quotes based on AI-driven pricing. Once confirmed, Citrus Freight handles first-mile pickup using energy-efficient solutions like ice battery.equipped vehicles, followed by container stuffing and rigorous pre-shipment checks. We coordinate customs clearance and manage vessel scheduling based on optimal transit times, and provide real-time tracking throughout the journey. At the destination port, we assist with last-mile delivery if required. From booking to delivery, we ensure temperature control, compliance, and visibility at every touchpoint.

With India’s perishable exports crossing 24 billion dollars in FY25, what are the biggest logistical hurdles exporters face when using ocean freight?
The biggest logistical challenges in ocean freight for perishables include inconsistent access to quality reefer containers, unpredictable vessel schedules, poor visibility during transit, and port congestion. Many exporters, particularly SMEs in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, face limited access to cold chain infrastructure and struggle with a lack of price transparency. Documentation delays and customs bottlenecks further add to the complexity. These issues not only increase the risk of spoilage but also make it difficult for exporters to meet strict global compliance standards. Citrus Freight solves these problems by offering AI-driven pricing, optimised scheduling, digitised documentation, and real-time tracking—all tailored for perishable cargo.

How is Citrus Freight using technology to improve temperature control cargo visibility, and route planning for reefer shipments?
We leverage AI and IoT to enhance the three most critical aspects of reefer logistics: temperature control, visibility, and route efficiency. Our containers are fitted with real time temperature monitoring systems and advanced data loggers, which alert our operations team to any deviations during transit. This ensures immediate corrective action to prevent spoilage. On the visibility front, our digital dashboard offers real- time shipment updates, location tracking, and documentation access. For route planning, our AI engine evaluates commodity type, carrier constraints, geopolitical issues, and congestion patterns to select the most reliable and fuel-efficient shipping routes, helping reduce delays and carbon footprint.

"Our goal is to simplify and standardise reefer shipping for Indian exporters and connect them to global markets with confidence."
Biplob Barik, Co-founder and CEO, Citrus Freight

You recently raised 5.25 crore rupees in funding. How will this capital be used to strengthen your capacity, tech stack, or market presence?
The ₹5.25 crore raised in our recent funding round will be strategically deployed to scale both our operational and technological capabilities. A significant portion will go into expanding our presence at key ports like Mundra, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam to cater to regional agri and seafood exporters. We’re also investing in enhancing our AI engine for more granular pricing and predictive analytics. In addition, funds will support the development of value-added services like digitised marine insurance, customs APIs, and financing solutions. This capital will also bolster our team strength and help drive awareness among underserved exporter clusters.

Are you directly integrated into the supply chains of agricultural and seafood exporters, or do you operate as an independent layer that connects various partners?
Citrus Freight functions as a seamless, integrated layer that connects multiple stakeholders within the export supply chain. We are embedded into the operations of several agri- and seafood exporters, acting as their logistics backbone, while also collaborating with shipping lines, port operators, customs agents, and inland transport providers. This layered integration allows exporters to interact with a single digital interface while we manage the complexity behind the scenes. Our approach delivers consistency and transparency, without requiring the exporter to juggle between multiple service providers.

How do you maintain service consistency across ports, container depots, and transport partners, given India’s fragmented cold chain infrastructure?
Service consistency is achieved through a combination of digital control, standardised SOPs, and close partner alignment. We work only with vetted service. providers who meet our compliance standards. Every container goes through a pre- stuffing checklist to ensure readiness, and our tech platform ensures that each milestone, from pickup to stuffing, loading, and delivery, is monitored and recorded. By digitising communications with partners and automating alerts for delays or deviations, we maintain a centralised command over widely distributed assets. Additionally, training programmes and regular audits help us align ground-level partners to our service expectations.

What are your growth projections for India’s reefer shipping segment, and what kind of regulatory or policy support would help companies like yours scale faster?
India’s reefer shipping segment is expected to grow at a steady pace, with a projected CAGR of 15–18% driven by rising exports of perishable goods such as seafood, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals. At Citrus Freight, we anticipate scaling our operations by 3 to 4 times over the next 18 months, with a strong focus on reaching underserved markets in tier-2 and tier-3 cities that are emerging as key production hubs.

However, to accelerate this growth and support the broader cold chain ecosystem, regulatory and policy interventions are crucial. Simplifying and digitising customs processes would reduce delays and paperwork while improving infrastructure at secondary ports could ease congestion and improve turnaround times. Encouraging the adoption of sustainable logistics solutions through incentives, such as support for ice battery technology, would not only lower emissions but also cut operational costs. Additionally, providing financial support in the form of credit access or targeted subsidies for cold chain expansion can make the sector more accessible for smaller exporters. With the right policy environment, India’s cold chain logistics sector can evolve into a globally competitive force.

This article was originally published in the Indian Transport & Logistics News' July-August 2025 issue.