The inaugural shipment, comprising 5,627 litres of Purabi Ice Cream, was flagged off by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on Tuesday.
Exported by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL), the consignment 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 wider North Eastern Region in neighbouring international markets.
Purabi Ice Cream is manufactured by the West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) and marketed by NEDFL. It is produced using milk sourced through Purabi Dairy's extensive cooperative network of dairy farmers across Assam.
The inaugural export includes a wide range of products, such as cups, family packs, cones and gallon packs, catering to both retail consumers and institutional buyers in Bhutan, according to an official government statement.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has been actively promoting exports of agricultural and processed food products from the North Eastern Region by helping exporters meet international quality standards and gain access to overseas markets.
The latest shipment reflects APEDA's continued efforts to promote value-added products from the region and expand their footprint in global markets.
APEDA facilitated the export by providing assistance with documentation, regulatory compliance, market access and stakeholder coordination, ensuring the smooth movement of the consignment to Bhutan while strengthening the export ecosystem for processed dairy products from the North East.
Bhutan's geographical proximity offers a strategic advantage for expanding dairy exports from Assam and serves as a key gateway for increasing the presence of Made-in-Assam dairy products in neighbouring international markets.
Looking ahead, NEDFL plans to diversify its export portfolio by introducing additional Purabi Dairy products with longer shelf life and gradually increasing export volumes in line with market demand.
The initiative is expected to enhance the global presence of dairy products from the North Eastern Region, create sustainable export opportunities for the dairy sector, and improve the livelihoods of thousands of dairy farmers associated with Assam's cooperative milk network.