Nelson Morales

Ube is the new Philippine export star—DTI

Article (news)

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Trade and Industry wants to expand the export of ube among many other agricultural products. It even calls it one of the new stars in the export sector.Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said there has been an increase in the growth of Philippine exports of agricultural products. She described coconut as the superstar since the country has had huge coconut exports for decades and there has been a recent 34 percent growth. But she added that there are new stars in the export sector.“We also saw the growth in the banana, pineapple. But the latest stars are the ube and the calamansi,” Roque said at the media conference for the upcoming Manila Tech Summit.In 2025, the DTI Export Marketing Bureau recorded $3.06 million worth of exports of ube-based products. Many of the products go to the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, and the Middle East.The agency said that there is steady growth in processed forms like ube powder, puree, halaya, and flavor extracts. There is also interest from global manufacturers in using ube in ice cream, baked goods, beverages among others.“In fact, Starbucks UK has an ube drink now,” Roque added.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gg5xmkn_aT8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>The DTI said that this growth of ube exports opens opportunities for exporters to enter higher-value segments. They will also continue to help MSMEs and farmers by improving quality standards and reinforcing supply chains so the Philippine ube can compete in international markets.In March 2026, the Philippines posted historic high export sales worth $8.17 billion despite the Middle East conflict. It was the highest monthly performance on record since data gathering of the Philippine Statistics Authority started in 1991. It’s a 20.4 percent growth from the $6.78 billion in March last year.Philippine exports also grew to $22.7 billion in the first quarter of the year, or a 12.7 percent increase from the same period last year. The top exports are still in electronics and semiconductors, machinery and transport equipment, mineral products, among others.Roque is also confident exports of ube and other Philippine products will grow this year with the potential signing of at least three free trade agreements with the European Union, Chile, and Canada.“Having free trade agreements, this gives us preferential tariff for our products to be sold in the global market,” Roque added.

The DTI Export Marketing Bureau recorded $3.06 million worth of exports of ube-based products.

The DTI Export Marketing Bureau recorded $3.06 million worth of exports of ube-based products.