- Ube export opportunity depends on better quality and consistency.
- UPLB researchers identified 10 promising ube varieties for breeding and commercial development.
- Non-profit organisation formed to unite the sector and drive ube sector success.
The global popularity of ube presents a major opportunity for the Philippines, but sustained growth will require improved varieties rather than relying solely on consumer trends and social media attention, said the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Agriculture Undersecretary Philip Young said ube is increasingly being viewed as a commercial agricultural crop rather than simply a traditional food ingredient.
“Ube is no longer simply a traditional crop associated with our local food culture. It has become a high-potential agricultural commodity with growing demand for fresh ube and value-added products in both domestic and international markets.”
This is putting pressure on the industry to improve quality, consistency, and competitiveness of Philippine ube production.
To identify varieties with the greatest commercial and breeding potential, scientists at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) evaluated 188 greater yam (Dioscorea alata) accessions collected from farms and gene banks.
From this pool, the team identified 10 standout varieties that they believe could help support the future development of the country’s ube sector.
The selected varieties demonstrated strengths across a range of desirable traits. Some delivered high yields, while others offered superior flesh colour, flavour, aroma, pigmentation or valuable genetic characteristics sought by plant breeders.
Researchers noted that no single variety excelled in every category, but together the top-performing accessions provide a foundation for future breeding and industry development.
Current industry production is estimated at around 50 to 60 metric tons per producer.
However, the sector’s stakeholders believe output can increase significantly with better supply coordination and wider access to quality planting materials.
Not all ube created equal
The study highlighted the substantial diversity that exists within Philippine ube. Varieties differ widely in flesh colour, ranging from deep purple to white and even orange.
According to the researchers, this visible diversity reflects a broader level of genetic variation present across the country’s ube germplasm.
The research has implications for export market development, where consistency in colour, flavour and texture is critical.
Therefore, understanding and preserving this diversity is important for identifying varieties with desirable market and agronomic traits and for supporting long-term crop improvement efforts.
“The next Philippine export superstar may not come from discovering a new crop at all. It may already be quietly growing in a backyard somewhere. The challenge is making sure the right ube reaches the world and keeps winning hearts long after the next viral food craze has faded into yesterday’s feed.”
Among the evaluated accessions, Villasis 2 was identified as the leading yield performer, producing more than 60 tonnes per hectare.
At the same time, Kinampay was the benchmark variety for flavour.
Other varieties excelled in other characteristics, such as aroma, colour, or anthocyanins, the natural compounds responsible for ube’s characteristic purple colour and are also associated with antioxidant properties.
Uniting for ube
On August 17, the DA announced the establishment of the United Ube PH Association, a national federation designed to unite stakeholders across the country’s ube industry and strengthen the crop’s position in domestic and international markets.
United Ube PH was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in August as a non-stock, non-profit organisation representing the Philippine ube industry.
“This organisation gives the ube industry a stronger advocate and a clearer path to market. We want Philippine ube to become one of our export winners, and that means building an industry strong enough to meet global demand while ensuring our farmers capture more of its value,” said Agriculture Secretary Francis P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
United Ube PH is working to secure new commercial opportunities, including long-term supply agreements and partnerships with institutional buyers, and has begun exploratory talks with Philippine and German business chambers.
Additionally, the organisation is drafting a bilateral agreement with the DA to formalise government-industry cooperation, while consolidating producers and other value-chain participants through a nationwide membership campaign.
