How Ankur Patel created Fruit World Business Empire: A Story of Determination, Community, and Growth

Ankur Patel’s journey from an international student in Australia to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and community spirit. Originally from India, Patel arrived in Australia in 2004 to pursue a Master’s degree in IT from Central Queensland University (CQU).

What began as an academic venture quickly turned into a pathway to becoming the owner of a thriving fruit, vegetable, and grocery business chain, Fruit World Group.

From IT to Business Ventures

After completing his degree, Patel initially worked for a logistics company, where he honed his understanding of supply chains and operations. Around the same time, he and some friends launched a small cleaning business. This entrepreneurial spark led him to meet future business partners who would collaborate with him on a new venture.

His big break came when Sunrise Fresh, a small business in Wentworthville owned by close friends Samir Naik and Brijesh Patel needed help computerising its inventory and finances. With his IT background and logistics expertise, Ankur Patel stepped in and transformed the business operations.

Recognising his efficiency in managing logistics, Ankur, Samir and Brijesh decided to take the plunge into the fruit and vegetable business, establishing Fruit World Group.

Building the Fruit World Group

The timing of Patel’s entry into the grocery business coincided with the rapid growth of Sydney’s western suburbs, as many multicultural communities, particularly Indian Australians, began settling in the area.

Understanding the market dynamics and the cultural preferences of the growing population, Patel and his partners opened or acquired one store every two years, expanding their footprint steadily.

In 2016, Hills Fruit World opened in Sovernhill Plaza, followed by the acquisition of David’s Fresh in Homebush in 2018. Despite facing challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Patel and his team managed to launch the highly popular Blacktown Fruit World in 2021, catering to the Indian subcontinent’s grocery needs.

The business continued to flourish, and by 2023, they opened Box Hill Fruit World, a high-end store addressing the needs of European, Middle Eastern, and continental grocery.

Overcoming Challenges in the Sydney Market

Patel’s journey in the fruit and vegetable business was not without its hurdles. In the early days, when he and his partners went to Sydney Market to establish their business account and purchase produce, the market cooperative was initially hesitant to work with them.

Patel recalls how they refused to provide goods despite him offering to pay upfront in cash, citing concerns over unfamiliarity with Indian-Australian business practices.

“They were hesitant as they had never done business with Indian Australians and didn’t know our business practices,”

Patel shared.

However, the tides have turned since then. “We have changed perceptions now. The same vendors in the market now make special coffee for me when I am there for early morning meetings,” Patel says proudly.

Working in the fruit and vegetable industry demands long hours and early starts.

Patel explains, “Our typical day starts at 3 am. By 4:30 am, orders are sorted, and by 5:30 am, everything is loaded into our trucks to be delivered to the stores. By 7:30 am, fresh products are on the shelves, ready for customers when the shops open at 9 am.”

Community Service at the Core

Beyond expanding his business empire, Patel is deeply committed to serving the community. During the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, when many businesses hiked prices, Patel’s Fruit World Group continued to sell fresh products at minimal margins to ensure that the community had access to affordable groceries.

“I take pride in serving the community by selling fresh products at the lowest minimum margins,”

Patel says.

His business also provided significant support to local charities. “Every week, we supplied fruits, vegetables, and groceries to multiple charity organisations that made support baskets for people and families struggling during the pandemic.”

In addition, Fruit World Group regularly supports community events, senior citizen clubs, and religious organisations, including local Gurdwaras and Hindu temples. Whether it’s a Ram Navami celebration or a Ganesh Chaturthi festival, Patel’s business has been known to offer groceries, fruits, and vegetables at heavily discounted prices or even free of charge.

Looking to the Future

When asked if he plans to enter politics, Patel laughs and says,

“People like us love to discuss politics and shape public opinion about politicians, but I am more focused on supporting those who work for the well-being of multicultural communities.”

However, Patel is far from done expanding his business empire. He shares his excitement about launching a wholesale business model, aimed at supplying fresh produce to restaurants, aged care homes, childcare centres, and cafes.

“We’ve already done a soft start with an online platform for deliveries, and it’s doing very well,”

he explains.

Looking ahead, Patel remains committed to strengthening India-Australia relations, particularly in business and trade.

“Growing India and Australia’s relationship to prosper and grow together is a core philosophy for us,” Patel says, confident that his business ventures will continue to contribute to the broader success of both nations.

Ankur Patel’s rise from an international student to a successful business owner exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and hard work that can drive success in Australia’s competitive market. His leadership in the Fruit World Group is not only a business success story but also a reflection of his dedication to community service and multicultural integration in Australia.

As he continues to expand his business and build bridges between India and Australia, Patel’s journey remains an inspiring example for aspiring entrepreneurs in the global diaspora.

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