Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma Flags Off First Purabi Ice Cream Export Consignment to Bhutan

Marking a significant milestone for Assam's dairy sector and the North Eastern Region's processed food exports, the first international consignment of 5,627 litres of Purabi Ice Cream was exported from Assam to Bhutan, opening new avenues for value-added dairy exports from the region.

The export consignment was flagged off by  Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, in Guwahati on 28 July 2026. Exported by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL), the shipment will supply Purabi Ice Cream to key markets across Bhutan, including Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing and Wangdue, strengthening the presence of dairy products from Assam and the North Eastern Region in neighbouring international markets.

Manufactured by the West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) and marketed by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL), Purabi Ice Cream is produced using milk procured through Purabi Dairy's extensive cooperative network of dairy farmers across Assam. The inaugural consignment comprises a diverse range of products, including cups, family packs, cones and gallon packs, catering to both retail consumers and institutional buyers in Bhutan.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has been consistently promoting exports of agricultural and processed food products from the North Eastern Region by facilitating exporters in meeting international standards and accessing overseas markets. The export reflects APEDA's continued efforts to promote value-added products from the region and expand their global market reach.

APEDA facilitated the shipment by extending support in export documentation, regulatory compliance, market access facilitation and stakeholder coordination, ensuring the seamless movement of the consignment to Bhutan while strengthening the export ecosystem for processed dairy products from the North Eastern Region.

Bhutan's geographical proximity provides a natural advantage for expanding dairy exports from Assam and serves as an important gateway for enhancing the presence of Made-in-Assam dairy products in neighbouring international markets. Going forward, NEDFL plans to diversify its export portfolio by introducing additional Purabi Dairy products with longer shelf life and progressively increasing export volumes in line with market demand.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the international presence of dairy products from the North Eastern Region, create sustainable export opportunities for the dairy industry, and enhance income prospects for thousands of dairy farmers associated with Assam's cooperative milk network.

APEDA continues to work closely with State Governments, exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives and other stakeholders to enhance the global competitiveness of India's agricultural and processed food products while creating sustainable export-led growth opportunities for farmers and agri-enterprises across the country.

Processed dairy exports to Bhutan expand through compliance support, market access facilitation, and planned diversification of longer-shelf-life products. Processed dairy exports from Assam to Bhutan commenced with a Purabi Ice Cream consignment exported by North East Dairy and Foods Limited and manufactured through Assam's cooperative dairy network. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority supported export documentation, regulatory compliance, market access and stakeholder coordination. The initiative seeks to expand value-added dairy exports from the North Eastern Region, with plans to introduce longer-shelf-life products and increase exports according to market demand.