Assam Exports First Purabi Ice Cream Consignment to Bhutan

Assam exported its first international consignment of dairy products to Bhutan on 28 July 2026. The 5,627-litre consignment consisted of Purabi ice cream, which is produced in Assam and supplied to Bhutanese markets.

Purabi Dairy and Cooperative Structure

Purabi ice cream is manufactured by the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited, also known as WAMUL. It is marketed by North East Dairy and Foods Limited, or NEDFL. The product is made from milk procured from dairy farmers across Assam.

Export Facilitation and Market Reach

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, or APEDA, facilitated the export process. APEDA functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The ice cream consignment is intended for major Bhutanese markets, including Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, and Wangdue.

Product Mix and Plant Capacity

The consignment included cups, family packs, cones, and gallon packs. These formats are used for retail and institutional buyers. The Purabi Dairy plant includes an ice cream unit with a monthly capacity of 60,000 litres. The plant expansion received support from the World Bank-funded Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project, known as APART.

Important Facts for Exams

• Bhutan is a landlocked Himalayan kingdom that shares a border with Assam through India’s north-eastern region.
• APEDA was established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.
• WAMUL is a cooperative dairy union operating in Assam’s milk procurement network.
• Purabi is a dairy brand associated with Assam’s cooperative dairy sector.

Exam-Relevant Static Facts

Milk cooperatives in India are organised on a producer-owned model and are common in the dairy sector. Dairy exports from India include milk powder, ghee, butter, cheese, and ice cream in processed food categories.