Guwahati, July 29: The Assam government celebrated a significant milestone in its dairy sector on Tuesday. For the first time, the state has initiated commercial exports of dairy products to a foreign country. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off a shipment of 5,627 liters of ‘Purabi Premium’ ice cream destined for neighboring Bhutan.
This export, facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), marks Assam’s first international shipment of dairy products. It is expected to open new market opportunities for the state’s dairy farmers abroad.
The shipment, produced under the ‘Purabi Dairy’ brand by the West Assam Milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL), includes premium ice cream flavors such as butterscotch, chocolate, choco chips, strawberry, mango, and vanilla. These products will be sold in major cities of Bhutan, including Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing.
Officials noted that this initiative directly connects thousands of dairy farmers in Assam to the international market, as the milk used for ice cream production is sourced from the cooperative network of Purabi Dairy across the state. The marketing of Purabi products is managed by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL).
After the shipment was flagged off at the Janata Bhawan, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that this achievement reflects the success of the state government’s continuous efforts over the past five years to strengthen Assam’s dairy sector.
He mentioned that Assam currently processes approximately 250,000 liters of milk daily to produce various dairy products. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that exports of ice cream and other value-added dairy products to Bhutan will continue regularly.
Sarma attributed this progress to the state government’s initiatives and infrastructure expansion, which have allowed Assam to enter the international dairy market for the first time. The World Bank-funded Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) has supported the expansion of Purabi Dairy, increasing its daily milk processing capacity from 60,000 liters to 150,000 liters.
APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, assisted NEDFL in completing the necessary export documentation, regulatory approvals, and other formalities for the international shipment.
The flag-off program was attended by the state’s Cooperation Minister Kaushik Rai, senior officials, and other dignitaries.
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