Khet-Se Agriproduce India, a 50:50 JV of Tata Chemicals (TCL) and Total Produce, Ireland, will open a second produce procurement and distriibution centre in Mumbai by the end of the year.
Khet-Se is a B2B cash and carry business for fresh fruit and vegetables sourcing, packaging and distribution across India. The company launched its operations with its first state-of-the-art procurement and distribution facility for fresh fruits and vegetables at Malerkotla, Punjab in May this year. This distribution centre has the facility of sorting, grading and packing of all fresh produce; four ripening chambersof 10mt capacity each (to ripen fruits like banana) and four cold storages of 25mt each.
According to GR Goves, chief executive, Khet Agriproduce India, Khet-Se aims to bridge the gap between producer and end consumer which will significantly increase efficiencies, improve shelf-life and reduce product loss in the supply chain. For this, it has already partnered with farmers to develop their skills to raise the quality of Indian farm produce through training on good agricultural practices. Similarly Khet-Se plans to partner with small retailers and help them in developing competencies to manage their business more effectively.
Khet-Se aims to bring about a change in the way the fresh produce category operates by targeting the small fruit and vegetable retailer through its conveniently located wholesale stores. It only caters to registered B2B customers such as small retailers, organised retailers the institutional segments comprising hotels, restaurants and caterers.
The company has also opened two cash & carry stores in Ludhiana. The second outlet was inaugurated on Aug 13th.
