We can still clearly recall approaching that day and casually remarking that preferred past time is clicking "add to cart." The way we acquired things, especially the necessities, was altered by the epidemic.
Numerous men and women have contributed significantly to India's digital environment through their frequent online purchases. Nowadays there are many options available in the market for online cut vegetables delivery.
With the number of Internet users in India growing, there has been a boom in digital adoption. India has over 600 million smartphone users in addition to about 826 million Internet connections.
Demand for Fresh Vegetables Online Increases
The demand for commodities and fresh vegetables online is constant, and much more so because of the health benefits linked with them and the realization of the advantages of cooking "at home," even if the Indian economy had been in a downturn until recently.
Although fast food and dining out have not decreased, there has been a significant increase in understanding of the value of maintaining a strong immune system and choosing better dietary choices.
More and more customers are starting to buy groceries and fresh vegetables online or virtually. E-commerce platforms and food delivery applications are likely to continue to grow in popularity.
This raises the crucial question of whether agricultural estate would lead India's economy to a more positive development trajectory and become the new IT.
Pattern for Buying Online Chopped Vegetables has Taken Up the Growth
Consumer patterns for purchasing fresh vegetables have changed. In the near future, visiting a fresh produce mandi (F&V) won't be an offline experience. Similar to how browsing through our local bookstores has become a nostalgic pleasure.
In light of the ramifications of Covid-19, people have begun to rely heavily on online fruit and vegetable applications. Additionally, internet buyers have more options and may have deliveries made in the comfort of their homes.
Home delivery, self-service kiosks that are also based on apps, the many kinds of mobile shopping vans, and farmers' supermarkets are all helping to formalize last-mile delivery more quickly.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, fresh produce has a special potential as well as a difficulty because it is neatly hidden under the heading of groceries when it is actually handled. Fresh produce requires different process lines, and typical inventory models and scheduled operations can never scale to accommodate the fresh produce market.
Contrary to FMCG items, the traditional online and offline businesses' approach to fresh produce hasn't yet resulted in any innovation.Therein lies both the issue and the potential for the growth of agri-tech businesses.
Consumers Concerns About Food Safety
Over time, consumer concerns about food safety and traceability have decreased. Consumers who are urban and educated are particularly affected by the topic of food safety.
In addition to starting to hunt for fresh fruits and vegetables online, consumers have also started looking for trustworthy sources. As a result, regional cart sellers have given way to organized Modern Retail Format establishments and online purchasing platforms through applications.
Some of the reasons why new trends in buying fresh fruit are growing include food safety and traceability.
Over the past two years, the pandemic has greatly increased the demand for foods that improve immunity, such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, papaya, oranges, and amla. Additionally, there has been a noticeable increase in demand for high-value fruits and vegetables including strawberries, bok choy, basil, iceberg lettuce, etc. Citrus fruits, kiwis, pears, avocados, cherries, and a variety of other new fruits are also in high demand.
The demand for several meat alternatives or vegan alternatives for non-vegetarian foods like soy and jackfruit is also rising.
Likewise, there is a growing demand for organic food products. The market for organic products was slow for a while, but it has recently picked up steam. Consumption of organic products has grown by 50% overall thanks to additional clients.
Customers want benefits that will last, and many cancer patients have switched permanently to eating only organic foods. Organic vegetable washes and cleansers for fruits and vegetables were launched to encourage fruit and vegetable cleanliness.
Quality and Freshness of Produced
Several agriculture start-ups emerged. India is home to more than a thousand agri-tech startups. Initially coexisting with the conventional farming environment, agri-tech companies have changed how they operate across the agricultural industry as a result of the epidemic.
These start-ups have transitioned from traditional, informal, and analogue marketplaces to more creative, formal, and digital ones, appealing to a wider audience.
The quality and freshness of the products, including prompt delivery, is the main issue in the production and sale of fruits and vegetables. The removal of undesired components employed in the growing and harvesting processes, such as chemicals, pesticides, bacteria, and other materials, contributes to the quality of fruits and vegetables.
Numerous standards have been developed and are in use nationwide to assure the quality of agri-food products. The safety and quality of the fruits and vegetables are guaranteed by all these laws, which are taken into consideration by businesses in this industry.
Second, the amount of time it takes for food to move from the point of production to the consumer's real plate is crucial for preserving the nutritious value of these fruits and vegetables. Few businesses are making the necessary efforts to guarantee that fresh fruit is supplied to consumers as soon as it is gathered.
Endnote
In India, buying fruits and vegetables has undergone a significant paradigm shift as a result of increased digital penetration, rising digital literacy, the pandemic, the proliferation of Agri-tech start-ups, the revolutionization of farming practices, and extensive government regulations and policies in this area.
But ultimately, in order to bring the fragmented agro sector up to speed with the rest of the globe, technology is the only thing that can address its inefficiencies. For Indian agriculture to become an industry, technological adoption is required at every level.
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