Assam's Purabi Dairy launches first ice‑cream export to Bhutan

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off a 5,627‑litre shipment of Purabi ice‑cream from Assam to Bhutan, marking the state’s inaugural commercial dairy export. The consignment, sourced from West Assam Milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) and marketed by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL), was cleared by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The ice‑cream, offered in flavors such as butterscotch, chocolate, strawberry and mango, will be sold in Bhutan’s major cities including Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing and Wangdue. Officials said the move opens new international market opportunities for Assam’s dairy farmers and could lead to regular exports of value‑added dairy products to neighboring countries.

The export highlights the growing trade relationship between India’s Northeast and Bhutan and reflects recent capacity upgrades at Purabi Dairy’s processing plant, which can now handle up to 150 tonnes of milk per day.