APEDA-backed export opens new market for Assam’s dairy products
Key Highlights
- Assam exports first international Purabi Ice Cream consignment to Bhutan.
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off the shipment in Guwahati.
- Export includes 5,627 litres of ice cream in multiple product formats.
- Bhutan markets include Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, and Wangdue.
- APEDA facilitated documentation, compliance, and market access.
- Export expected to benefit thousands of dairy farmers in Assam.
- NEDFL plans to expand exports with more dairy products.
Assam has achieved a significant milestone in its dairy industry by exporting the first international consignment of Purabi Ice Cream to Bhutan, marking a new chapter for value-added dairy exports from the North Eastern Region.
The inaugural shipment, comprising 5,627 litres of Purabi Ice Cream, was flagged off in Guwahati by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 28, 2026. The consignment has been exported by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL) and will be distributed across major Bhutanese markets, including Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, and Wangdue.
Purabi Ice Cream is manufactured by West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) and marketed by NEDFL. The products are made using milk sourced from Purabi Dairy’s extensive cooperative network of dairy farmers across Assam, supporting rural livelihoods while promoting locally produced dairy products.
The first export shipment includes a wide range of products such as cups, cones, family packs, and gallon packs, catering to both retail customers and institutional buyers in Bhutan.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) played a key role in facilitating the export by assisting with documentation, regulatory compliance, market access, and coordination among stakeholders. The initiative reflects APEDA’s ongoing efforts to increase exports of value-added agricultural and processed food products from India’s North Eastern Region.
Bhutan’s proximity to Assam makes it an ideal export destination, offering opportunities to strengthen cross-border trade while expanding the presence of Made-in-Assam dairy products in international markets.
Looking ahead, NEDFL plans to expand its export portfolio by introducing additional Purabi Dairy products with longer shelf lives and gradually increasing export volumes based on market demand.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Assam’s dairy sector, create new export opportunities for the North East, and enhance income prospects for thousands of dairy farmers connected to the state’s cooperative milk network. APEDA will continue working with state governments, cooperatives, exporters, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to improve the global competitiveness of Indian agricultural and processed food products.
