The verdict in three sentences
A B2B food e-commerce with delivery for a wholesaler costs 30,000 to 55,000 EUR in 2026, depending on the complexity of the fresh catalogue and logistics. The budget concentrates on three key bricks: fresh product catalogue (variants, expiry dates, packaging units), recurring orders/replenishment and delivery slots + routes. Executed well, it cuts ~30% of order phone calls, grows the B2B basket and ships in 12 to 18 weeks.
The budget line by line
Unlike consumer e-commerce, B2B food requires customer accounts, negotiated pricing and fresh logistics.
| Item | Scope | 2026 cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform + fresh catalogue | Products, variants, packaging, expiry, per-client pricing | 18,000 - 35,000 |
| Recurring order / replenishment | Favorite lists, quick order, reorder | 5,000 - 8,000 |
| Slots + routes | Zones, slots, cutoff, route optimization | 6,000 - 10,000 |
| Stock / expiry integration | ERP sync, stockouts, batches, real-time expiry | 5,000 - 8,000 |
| Payment + B2B credit | Deferred payment, credit limit | 3,000 - 5,000 |
| Maintenance (per year) | Upkeep, seasonal changes | 4,800 - 9,600 |
A viable first scope (catalogue + ordering + slots) starts around 30,000 EUR. The full scope with ERP integration and credit aims for 45,000-55,000 EUR.
What sets B2B food apart
Success lies in business details absent from B2C. A poorly designed fresh catalogue generates disputes and stockouts.
| B2B function | Business impact | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Per-client negotiated pricing | Loyalty, protected margin | High |
| One-click recurring order | -30% calls, time saved | High |
| Cutoff + delivery slots | Route reliability, fewer delays | High |
| Expiry / batch management | Less waste, traceability | High |
| Credit and deferred payment | Fits restaurants' cash flow | Medium |
| Packaging / units (case, kg) | Fewer order errors | Medium |
B2B food average baskets often exceed 300-600 EUR per order, which completely changes the profitability equation versus B2C.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Marc, manager of a fresh-produce wholesaler in Lyon, serves 180 restaurants. Before: 3 people take orders by phone and fax, ~35 combined hours/week, with 6% entry errors. He invests 42,000 EUR in a B2B platform with recurring ordering, slots and stock/expiry sync. Result: 60% of orders move online within 4 months, i.e. ~21 hours/week freed (~2,700 EUR/month of payroll), errors cut to 1.5%, and average basket up 12% thanks to reorder suggestions. Estimated payback in 14-16 months.
FAQ
Why is it pricier than regular e-commerce? Because the core is logistics and business rules: slots, routes, expiry, per-client pricing and credit. These bricks are 40-50% of the budget and do not exist in standard B2C.
Can we start without ERP integration? Yes, a first batch at 30,000 EUR can run with stock managed in the platform, then connect the ERP in phase 2 (5,000-8,000 EUR).
How do we handle restaurant payments? Most want deferred payment (30 days) with a credit limit. We combine online payment for new customers and credit for loyal accounts.
How long to launch? Expect 12 to 18 weeks depending on your product data quality. A clean fresh catalogue (photos, packaging, expiry) is the top driver of timing.
What concrete gain on calls? Our clients see an average -30% in order calls within 3-4 months, freeing the team for advice and new accounts.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of clients, fresh catalogue size and delivery zone; we will frame a B2B e-commerce between 30,000 and 55,000 EUR. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
