Arya News - Bhutan is considered a natural export destination for dairy products from Assam due to its geographical proximity and established trade links.
NEW DELHI – Assam has marked a significant milestone in its dairy sector with the first-ever international shipment of Purabi Ice Cream to Bhutan, a move expected to open new opportunities for value-added dairy exports from the North Eastern Region and strengthen the presence of locally produced dairy products in neighbouring markets.
Exported by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL), the shipment will be distributed across major Bhutanese markets, including Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing and Wangdue, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.
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 sourced from Purabi Dairy’s network of cooperative dairy farmers across Assam, creating a direct export opportunity for the state’s dairy ecosystem.
The first consignment 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.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, played a key role in facilitating the export. The authority supported the shipment by assisting with export documentation, regulatory compliance, market access and coordination among stakeholders, enabling the smooth movement of the consignment across the border.
The export is part of APEDA’s broader strategy to promote agricultural and processed food products from the North Eastern Region in international markets. The authority has been working to help exporters from the region meet global quality standards and expand their overseas footprint through value-added products.
Bhutan is considered a natural export destination for dairy products from Assam due to its geographical proximity and established trade links. The successful shipment is expected to serve as a gateway for expanding the reach of Made-in-Assam dairy products into neighbouring countries.
Building on this milestone, NEDFL plans to widen its export portfolio by introducing additional Purabi Dairy products with longer shelf life while gradually increasing export volumes in line with demand from overseas markets.
The initiative is expected to enhance export opportunities for the region’s dairy industry, improve market access for cooperative producers and create higher income prospects for thousands of dairy farmers associated with Assam’s milk cooperative network.
APEDA said it will continue collaborating with state governments, cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), exporters and other stakeholders to improve the global competitiveness of India’s agricultural and processed food products while supporting export-led growth for farmers and agri-businesses.
Read More:
Daily milk run connects Bhutanese farms to Indian households