Purabi Ice Cream: Assam exports 5,627 litres to Bhutan in dairy first
Synopsis
For the first time, Assam's cooperative dairy sector has crossed an international border — 5,627 litres of Purabi Ice Cream are now headed to Bhutan's retail and institutional markets. Backed by APEDA and flagged off by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, this shipment is less a trade statistic and more a signal that India's northeast is edging into value-added export territory.
Key Takeaways
5,627 litres of Purabi Ice Cream were exported from Assam to Bhutan on 29 July 2025 — the first such international consignment from the northeastern region.
The consignment was flagged off by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from Guwahati .
Products will reach Thimphu , Paro , Phuentsholing , and Wangdue , targeting both retail and institutional buyers.
APEDA facilitated the export through documentation support, regulatory compliance, and market access coordination.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described the development as 'a sweet milestone for India.' NEDFL plans to expand the export portfolio with longer shelf-life Purabi Dairy products and increase volumes progressively.
Assam's Purabi Ice Cream has made its international debut, with a inaugural export consignment of 5,627 litres flagged off to Bhutan on 29 July 2025 — marking the first cross-border shipment of value-added dairy products from the northeastern region to a foreign market. The milestone was officially announced on Wednesday via a government statement.
The Consignment and Its Reach
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off the consignment from Guwahati. The shipment will reach key Bhutanese markets including Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, and Wangdue. The export basket covers cups, family packs, cones, and gallon packs, targeting both retail consumers and institutional buyers across Bhutan.
Purabi Ice Cream is manufactured by the West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) and marketed through North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL). The product is made using milk sourced from Purabi Dairy's extensive cooperative network of farmers spread across Assam.
APEDA's Role in Facilitating the Export
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was instrumental in making the shipment possible, providing support across export documentation, regulatory compliance, market access facilitation, and stakeholder coordination. The authority has been actively promoting agricultural and processed food exports from the northeast by helping exporters meet international standards.
This consignment is part of APEDA's broader push to expand the global footprint of value-added products from India's northeastern states — a region historically underrepresented in the country's export economy.
What the Government Said
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called it 'a sweet milestone for India!' In a statement, Goyal said the achievement 'reflects the growing strength and global competitiveness of India's dairy sector while opening new avenues for our dairy farmers.' He added that the initiative would 'create new income opportunities, expand access to international markets and strengthen the livelihoods of our dairy farmers across the northeastern region.'
Strategic Importance and What Comes Next
Bhutan's geographical proximity to Assam offers a natural logistical advantage, making it a viable first export destination and a potential gateway to wider South Asian markets. This is also seen as a proof-of-concept for scaling northeastern dairy exports more broadly.
Going forward, NEDFL plans to diversify its export portfolio by introducing additional Purabi Dairy products with longer shelf life and progressively scaling up volumes in line with market demand. The initiative is expected to generate sustainable income opportunities for thousands of dairy farmers within Assam's cooperative milk network.
Point of View
627 litres is a pilot, not a pipeline. The real question is whether APEDA's facilitation model can be replicated at scale across other northeastern agri-food products, many of which face the same market-access barriers that Purabi just cleared. Bhutan is a low-risk first market given proximity and trade ties, but the northeast's dairy sector will need consistent quality standardisation and cold-chain investment before it can credibly target larger South Asian or Southeast Asian markets. This milestone matters most as a template, not a transaction.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Purabi Ice Cream export to Bhutan?
It is the first international export consignment of Purabi Ice Cream from Assam, comprising 5,627 litres of dairy products shipped to Bhutan on 29 July 2025. The consignment includes cups, family packs, cones, and gallon packs for retail and institutional buyers.
Who manufactures Purabi Ice Cream?
Purabi Ice Cream is manufactured by the West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) and marketed by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL). It is produced using milk sourced from Purabi Dairy's cooperative network of farmers across Assam.
Which markets in Bhutan will receive the consignment?
The consignment will be distributed across Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, and Wangdue — covering both major urban centres and border towns in Bhutan.
What role did APEDA play in this export?
APEDA facilitated the shipment by providing support in export documentation, regulatory compliance, market access facilitation, and stakeholder coordination, enabling the seamless movement of the consignment to Bhutan.
What are the plans for future Purabi exports?
NEDFL plans to diversify its export portfolio by introducing additional Purabi Dairy products with longer shelf life and progressively scaling up export volumes in line with market demand in Bhutan and potentially other international markets.
