- Assam exports its first international consignment of Purabi Ice Cream to Bhutan.
- Himanta Biswa Sarma flags off 5,627-litre shipment in Guwahati.
- APEDA facilitates export documentation, compliance and market access.
- Initiative expected to boost dairy exports and farmers’ incomes in the Northeast.
GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 29th July: Assam has exported its first international consignment of Purabi Ice Cream to Bhutan, marking a major milestone for the state’s dairy sector and opening new opportunities for value-added dairy exports from the North Eastern Region.
The inaugural shipment of 5,627 litres of Purabi Ice Cream was flagged off by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on July 28.
Exported by the North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL), the consignment will be supplied to key Bhutanese markets, including Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing and Wangdue, expanding the international footprint of dairy products from Assam.
Purabi Ice Cream is manufactured by the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) and marketed by NEDFL. The products are made using milk procured through Purabi Dairy’s extensive cooperative network of dairy farmers across Assam.
The first export shipment includes a range of products such as 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 and Industry, facilitated the export by assisting with documentation, regulatory compliance, market access and coordination among stakeholders.
According to APEDA, the initiative reflects its continued efforts to promote value-added agricultural and processed food products from the North Eastern Region and expand their presence in international markets.
Officials said Bhutan’s proximity to Assam offers a strategic advantage for strengthening dairy exports and serves as an important gateway for promoting Made-in-Assam dairy products in neighbouring countries.
Going forward, NEDFL plans to expand its export portfolio by introducing additional Purabi Dairy products with longer shelf life and increasing export volumes based on market demand.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the global presence of dairy products from the Northeast, create sustainable export opportunities for the dairy sector and enhance income prospects for thousands of dairy farmers associated with Assam’s cooperative milk network.
APEDA said it will continue working with state governments, exporters, farmer producer organisations, cooperatives and other stakeholders to improve the global competitiveness of India’s agricultural and processed food products while creating export-led growth opportunities for farmers and agri-enterprises.
