Purple Reign: Philippines Seeks to Keep Grip on Ube Throne

PH eyes export growth for processed ube

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines remains keen on exporting processed ube as it works to expand the global reach of locally produced agricultural products, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. clarified the indefinite ban on raw ube exports, likely lasting until 2028, applies only to ube meant for planting. READ:

Philippines strives to keep ube throne

The Philippine ube has become a trendsetting sensation from Los Angeles to London to Seoul, with the humble yam’s bright purple hue drawing lines outside coffee shops and bakeries and millions of views on social media.However, keeping pace with the international boom has proven tricky for the archip

Purple reign: Philippines seeks to keep grip on ube throne

But keeping pace with the international boom has proven tricky for the archipelago nation's overwhelmingly smallholder farmers, with yields declining and some unable to commit to the plant's nine-month growing time. Fears that biopiracy might take a chunk out of the blossoming market, meanwhile, have prompted the government to announce a ban on the export of the raw form of the yam. Standing in his ube field south of Manila, farmer-exporter Al B…

Philippines protects ube industry amid global demand surge

The Philippines moves to protect ube farmers and cultural heritage amid rising global demand by banning raw yam exports and boosting local production. Read more at straitstimes.com.