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Indonesia’s eFishery scandal sparks fears of broader reckoning for agritech

Market watchers are preparing for a major overhaul, as focus shifts from unchecked growth to prioritising sustainable profitability

 Elisa Valenta
Published Wed, Feb 12, 2025 · 12:00 PM
    • The eFishery scandal is still in the early stages of investigation.
    • The eFishery scandal is still in the early stages of investigation. PHOTO: EFISHERY

    [JAKARTA] The alleged fraud at Indonesia’s aquaculture unicorn eFishery has shaken the agritech sector, with the once-thriving industry, driven by fast growth and overblown valuations, now rattling investors and poised for a reckoning. The next big question now is: Who is next?

    Market players are also not ruling out a broad cleanup or major overhaul in the ecosystem as focus turns towards sustainable profitability.

    Harsh Rajpal, the founder of Capital Code, said: “My concern is that eFishery may not be the only case. Many businesses in the food and agritech sector are significantly overvalued.”

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