The Department of Agriculture (DA) has welcomed the formation of the United Ube PH Association Inc., a national organization that brings together farmers, cooperatives, growers, processors, traders, exporters, researchers, the academe, government agencies, and other industry players to give Philippine ube a stronger voice and a bigger market.
The federation grew out of the Ube Industry Stakeholders Meeting convened by Agriculture Secretary Francis P. Tiu Laurel Jr. in July. Stakeholders identified the need for a unified organization that could provide stronger representation, clearer direction, and a common national identity for the industry.
United Ube PH was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in August as a non-stock, non-profit organization representing the Philippine ube industry. Carrying the banner, “One Industry. One Vision. One Philippine Ube,” the federation seeks to turn a fragmented industry into a more coordinated and competitive force in domestic and international markets.
With National Ube Stakeholders representations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao since its formation, the group has begun working with government agencies, local government units, business organizations, and other stakeholders on concrete industry strategies. These include preparations for the 1st National Ube Forum in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, this September, a nationwide ube industry development strategy, and a membership drive covering major ube-producing areas.
Tiu Laurel said the organization could give the sector a stronger voice as the DA works to develop ube into a major agricultural export.
**“This organization 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,” Tiu Laurel said.**
United Ube PH is also building market and institutional partnerships by onboarding institutional buyers, holding exploratory discussions with Philippine and German business chambers, and developing long-term supply and purchase agreements.
The federation is drafting a bilateral agreement with the DA to deepen government-industry cooperation and identify areas for joint intervention. It is also consolidating farmers, processors, traders, exporters, researchers, and other stakeholders through its nationwide membership campaign.
The push comes as the Philippine ube industry eyes a bigger role in agriculture and food exports. Current production is estimated at around 50 to 60 metric tons per operator, but stakeholders believe output could rise significantly with better supply coordination and wider access to quality raw materials.
“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,” Undersecretary Philip Young said.
United Ube PH will also be soft-launched during ASEAN-HWONFEX 2026 on September 4 to 6 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, where it will showcase Philippine ube and connect with potential buyers, investors, and business partners.
With the new federation, the DA and industry stakeholders hope to give Philippine ube more than a place on the dessert table. They want it to earn a firmer foothold in the global market.
