India has all the makings of a major player in the global processed food export market because of its abundance of agricultural resources, proximity to countries that need to import food, and robust infrastructure of training and research centres dedicated to the food processing industry. In the next five years, as Indian consumers progressively head to healthier choices and buy foods with superior ingredients, spending on health-focused foods and beverages is expected to quadruple in Indian families. The $88 billion packaged food and beverage market in India was dominated by health-oriented products in 2020 (calendar year).

By CY2026, this percentage is projected to rise to 16 percent or $30 billion. Two global consumer megatrends the rising need for convenience and the rising emphasis on health and wellness are driving the rise in the preference for processed food. Looking at the growth of the sector, various firms have emerged with promised services in this sector. Beanstalk Farmers is one of the upcoming companies in the fresh food and beverages sector and solely focus on ethically grown and minimally processed food products.

The establishment of the company coincided with the onset of the nationwide lockdown in 2020. During this period, the entire supply chain experienced a collapse, resulting in unsold products.

It has been observed that the food supply chain in India encompasses a vast network of several small-scale farmers who engage in transactions with multiple intermediaries. “Our primary emphasis is on high quality fresh produce but that comes with a higher price tag. Our organization also focuses on the procurement of ethically cultivated produce and creating minimally processed food items. We offer competitive pricing in comparison to local Mandi markets. All of our packaging and products are de-signed to be environmentally friendly”, says Kaavya. The company's core belief is that it should place a priority on fresh produce that is of excellent quality.

Beanstalk Farmers provides a wide range of products and services to their customers which includes fresh produce like honey and jaggery, fruits, Instant Rasam Powders and beverage mixes. “We ensure quality and freshness of all our products, by handpicking and grading our fresh produce before we send it to our customers. We also deliver our seasonal produce days after harvest. The unique selling proposition (USP) of the organization lies in its unparalleled quality. Our food is characterized by its exceptional freshness, superior quality, and remarkable nutritional worth. Our products are free from artificial preservatives, and our primary emphasis is on quality rather than quantity”, speaks Kaavya.

Beanstalk products are free from artificial additives & our primary emphasis is on quality rather than quantity

The firm has a team of skilled and experienced individuals which helps the company to grow. Beanstalk leverages technology in providing an online platform for e-commerce and is more focused on the preorder model of fresh produce. The company also prioritizes the mitigation of its carbon impact, primarily through the utilization of solar power driers in its production processes. Bean-stalk has garnered increased acknowledgement for its efforts in the field of sustainability.

Future Roadmap
The primary objective of Beanstalk for the coming year is to strategically broaden its customer base and venture into untapped regions. The company is currently considering entering the Bengaluru market. While it has been involved in the fruit industry for an extended period, it now aims to expand its operations to include the vegetable and fruit subscription model. The main objective of this initiative is to enhance and maintain profitability for farmers, while concurrently fostering sustainable agricultural practices and livelihoods.