Agritech startups are increasingly setting their sights beyond domestic borders, seeking global expansion to drive growth. A combination of factors, including price-sensitive domestic market and the growing competitiveness of agritech solutions, is pushing them toward international markets.
Leading the trend is SaaS-based agritech startup Cropin, which derives over 60% of its revenue from overseas markets, particularly North America and Europe. The company has recently expanded operations in the Netherlands and the US to strengthen its global presence. Cropin has deployed its AI-driven agricultural solutions in 103 countries and is actively pursuing partnerships with advisory, consulting, and IT services firms to further accelerate growth.
Meanwhile, agritech firm DeHaat, backed by Temasek, has expanded to 26 countries across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, significantly scaling up exports. The company has recorded over 5,000 shipments in FY25, with a 50% year-on-year growth in export volume. With recent acquisitions of FieldFresh and Freshtrop, DeHaat now ships large volumes of bananas, premium grapes, and fresh vegetables worldwide.
Strategic partnerships and acquisitions are also fueling expansion. Walmart-backed Ninjacart partnered with Philippine agritech firm Mayani to strengthen its global footprint. According to Abhilash Sethi, investment director at Omnivore, later-stage investors expect exponential growth, which makes international expansion crucial for agritech startups to access higher-margin markets.
Experts also highlight the increasing relevance of innovations in climate-resilient agriculture, especially as climate change disrupts global food production. Cropin has developed climate-smart solutions to tackle issues such as crop loss and pest outbreaks. Another startup, Varaha, is implementing carbon-reduction projects in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Kenya, helping over 100,000 smallholder farmers transition to sustainable practices.
According to the Federation of All India Farmer Associations, over 7,000 agritech startups have emerged in the past nine years. As some of these companies prepare for initial public offerings (IPOs), having a strong international presence is becoming vital to justify high valuations. Temasek-backed StarAgri has already filed for a Rs 450 crore IPO, while WayCool, Arya, and Stellapps are expected to follow suit in the coming years.