🥛 Assam Achieves First International Dairy Export with Purabi Ice Cream Shipment to Bhutan
Assam has marked a historic milestone in its dairy sector by exporting dairy products internationally for the first time. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off a consignment of 5,627 litres of Purabi Premium ice cream to neighbouring Bhutan, opening new export opportunities for the state’s dairy industry.
The export, facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), is expected to strengthen Assam’s dairy value chain while creating better market access for local dairy farmers.
🌍 Purabi Ice Cream Enters Bhutan Market
The shipment was produced by the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) under the Purabi Dairy brand.
The export includes premium ice cream in multiple flavours:
- 🍫 Chocolate
- 🍯 Butterscotch
- 🍓 Strawberry
- 🥭 Mango
- 🍦 Vanilla
- 🍪 Choco Chips
The products will be distributed across major Bhutanese cities, including:
- 📍 Thimphu
- 📍 Paro
- 📍 Phuentsholing
🐄 New Opportunities for Assam’s Dairy Farmers
The milk used in manufacturing the exported products is sourced through Purabi Dairy’s cooperative network, directly connecting thousands of dairy farmers in Assam to international markets.
Marketing of Purabi products is managed by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL), strengthening the state’s organised dairy marketing network.
🏭 Dairy Infrastructure Expansion Driving Growth
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the rapid progress of Assam’s dairy sector over the past five years.
Key developments include:
- 🥛 Assam currently processes around 2.5 lakh litres of milk per day
- 📈 Purabi Dairy’s processing capacity has increased from 60,000 litres to 1.5 lakh litres per day
- 🌱 Expansion supported by the World Bank-funded Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART)
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that exports of ice cream and other value-added dairy products to Bhutan would continue on a regular basis.
🤝 APEDA Facilitates Export Process
The export was supported by APEDA, operating under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The organisation assisted NEDFL by completing:
- 📄 Export documentation
- ✅ Regulatory approvals
- 🚚 International shipment formalities
The initiative represents a significant step in positioning Assam’s dairy sector for future export growth while improving income opportunities for dairy farmers through value-added dairy products.