Supply chain des produits frais, Califrais mise sur l’IA pour changer d’échelle

Califrais Utilizes AI for Supply Chain Expansion

Califrais, a digital and logistics operator of the Rungis Market since 2021, has announced a fundraising of 10 million euros. This investment is aimed at expanding beyond the platform rungismarket.com and industrializing its proprietary AI-based technologies.

Agri-food sector decision-makers and wholesale markets B2B logistics and supply chain actors Investors in deeptech, applied AI, and foodtech Communities and institutions involved in logistics decarbonization

The fresh produce market lacks AI and predictive solutions Califrais is already the official operator of the Rungis Market The platform combines AI, cold logistics, and operational efficiency This funding marks a transition from a local model to a scalable platform Few European actors combine proprietary technology with logistical execution

Industrialization of internally developed technological components Planned expansion to other wholesale markets in France and Europe Increased R&D investment in flow forecasting and predictive logistics Strengthened positioning against competitors like Afresh or Choco New growth phase supported by a profitable model

Since its inception, Califrais has focused on the intersection of supply chain, deeptech, and food. Unlike traditional logistics circuits, fresh produce management involves extreme flow volatility, high perishability, and data instability. Califrais has invested ten years in R&D, in collaboration with CNRS and Sorbonne University, to develop an algorithmic infrastructure that addresses these constraints through flow forecasting, predictive logistics, and stock optimization.

The rungismarket.com platform serves as the operational showcase of this approach. In 2024, over a million products were delivered with an error rate below 1%. Professionals can order until midnight for delivery by 6 am, with two-hour slots and prices 5-10% lower than the market average, all managed by AI-driven logistics. This capability has enabled Califrais to reach an annualized turnover of 20 million euros while maintaining a profitable model.

The B2B food logistics segment remains understructured. In France, most foodtech innovations focus on last-mile delivery or B2C models: players like Smartway in reducing unsold goods, Mon Marché for urban delivery, or Agrikolis for short circuits target specific verticals. In the U.S., Afresh works with food retailers to optimize their stocks, while Instacart provides retailers with software solutions mainly oriented towards the public.

In this landscape, Califrais has carved out a unique position. The company combines predictive software infrastructure with mastery of fresh produce logistics, anchored in a strategic wholesale market. This integrated model has allowed Califrais to establish itself in Rungis against larger digital players.

The local success is now fueling a broader ambition, with plans to open its technology to other wholesale markets, first in France and then abroad. To achieve this, Califrais is industrializing its technological components and adapting them to new operational contexts. While geographic expansion is not an immediate priority, it is clearly part of the medium-term strategy. The software infrastructure was designed from the outset to facilitate deployment in other logistical ecosystems.

According to Simon Bussy , founder and CEO of Califrais, "This fundraising will enable us to reach a crucial milestone. Deploying our technology on a large scale and accelerating the ecological transformation of the food supply chain." He emphasizes that AI can make logistics both more efficient and more responsible, a conviction proven daily on the ground.

The operation was supported by Coactiv Partners and includes historical startup partners, such as STEF, a European cold logistics operator, as well as new entrants from the agri-food sector and digital expert Gilles Babinet . "With rungismarket.com, Califrais has shown that it is possible to offer a reliable, ultra-competitive service perfectly suited to the needs of food professionals," says Stéphane Layani, president of the Rungis International Market.

The fundraising amounts to 10 million euros. It will enable Califrais to strengthen its R&D investments, industrialize its internal technologies, and prepare the expansion of its logistics platform beyond its current scope. The company remains focused on its operational base while outlining a broader architecture on a national and European scale.

D’après FrenchWeb.