Quick commerce unicorn Zepto has hit a new supply chain milestone. The Mumbai-based startup’s Fruits and Vegetables (F&V) category is now clocking 22 Lakh units sold per day, up from 6.4 Lakh daily units a year ago, according to internal data reviewed by Business Headline.
This sharp spike makes Zepto’s F&V supply chain one of the largest and most sophisticated fresh networks in the country today, giving it a strong edge in India’s largest consumption category.
Over the last 12 months, Zepto’s fresh supply chain team has launched dozens of collection centres across major growing belts, enabling the startup to source directly from thousands of farmers. These centres have not only helped eliminate middlemen but also brought down procurement time and spoilage—two pain points for any large-scale fresh produce operation.
The startup has also invested in automated packaging, cold storage infrastructure, procurement control, and ripening units to standardise operations and ensure freshness at scale. This backend network now powers Zepto’s promise of delivering farm-fresh fruits and vegetables in minutes.
“We’re lucky to have built such a strong Fresh team at Zepto,” the company said in an internal note seen by Business Headline. “Fruits and vegetables represent the largest consumption category in India today. We believe we have a generational opportunity to build a world-class fresh supply chain over the next decade.”
Zepto’s approach aligns with its broader strategy to go deeper into high-frequency essential categories while strengthening its moat through direct supply-side control. Its farmer partnerships also align with India’s push for agritech-led rural growth, helping local growers scale their income and operations in tandem with Zepto’s growth.
As competition intensifies in the quick commerce space—with Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket’s BBNow all doubling down on fresh delivery—Zepto’s full-stack infrastructure could be a key differentiator.
The company has not commented on how this category growth is impacting margins or average order value. However, fresh produce typically brings in higher order frequency, improved customer retention, and local sourcing advantages—critical levers for any q-commerce player.
Founded in 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto has raised over $560 Mn to date from investors including StepStone Group, Goodwater Capital, and Nexus Venture Partners. It last raised $200 Mn in August 2023 at a valuation of $1.4 Bn, and is reportedly eyeing an IPO in the next 12-18 months.
With its supply chain scaling aggressively and deep farmer linkages in place, Zepto’s fresh play could very well become the engine that drives both revenue and relevance in India’s hyperlocal delivery race.
