Philippine exports of ube, the purple yam native to the archipelago, exceeded US$3 million in 2025, marking a sharp acceleration in a niche agricultural trade.
The figure represents more than a 100% increase from the US$1.4 million recorded in 2024, according to data cited by the South China Morning Post.
5 billion from the Asian Development Bank’s crisis-response facility to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices, highlighting the contrast between struggling macro indicators and thriving niche sectors.
The rapid growth underscores a broader trend of specialized agri-commodities finding new international markets, often driven by diaspora demand and culinary trends in Asia and North America.
Farmers in Bohol, a key production hub, are scaling operations to meet this appetite, with local growers associations coordinating harvests and supply chains to ensure consistent quality for overseas buyers.
This export boom arrives as the Philippine economy navigates broader macroeconomic headwinds.
The Department of Finance is currently preparing to access up to US$1.5 billion from the Asian Development Bank’s crisis-response facility to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices, highlighting the contrast between struggling macro indicators and thriving niche sectors.