INDUSTRY groups on Tuesday backed the temporary suspension of fresh ube (purple yam) exports but urged the government to ensure that the policy delivers lasting benefits to small farmers.
In August, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), halted exports of the globally in-demand crop to preserve planting materials and help expand domestic production.
The measure covers fresh ube and propagative materials intended for consumption, planting, or research.
The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) said the policy should lead to higher productivity, fair farmgate prices, better access to quality planting materials, increased financial and technical assistance, and reliable markets for small and backyard growers.
“The DA must ensure that the growing global demand for ube does not result in the displacement of small farmers or pave the way for corporate takeover of the local ube production value chain and control of the export market,” Sinag executive director Jayson Cainglet said.
Federation of Free Farmers national manager Raul Montemayor said restricting shipments of fresh ube and planting materials would also help protect local varieties from being propagated abroad and eventually competing with Philippine produce in the international market.
He warned, however, that enforcing the restriction could be difficult because sliced tubers weighing just 50 to 100 grams could be used for planting and easily smuggled out of the country.
BPI Director Glenn Panganiban earlier informed the Bureau of Customs of the suspension. The DA said the measure would serve as an interim safeguard while the government develops policies and regulations to formally include purple yam among commodities subject to export restrictions.
Philippine ube is increasingly sought by overseas processors and buyers for use in powder, halaya, jam, and paste. However, local farmers continue to face limited access to quality planting materials needed to raise production, the DA said.
Ube exports totaled $3.06 million in 2025, according to data from the Department of Trade and Industry.
