The Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) has clarified that the Philippines does not import fresh ube, or purple yam, from any foreign country. In a statement, the agency cautioned against the sale of so-called "imported ube," emphasizing that no importation of this commodity has been authorized.
"Any fresh ube being advertised, sold, distributed, or represented as 'imported' should be treated with caution and may be subject to verification by the proper authorities," the BPI said late Thursday. The bureau made this announcement amid growing international demand for purple yams.
The agency urged the public to report any potential violations to help protect local ube farmers and ensure food security. "The importation of fresh agricultural commodities without the required sanitary and phytosanitary clearances (SPSIC) is a violation of existing plant quarantine regulations and poses a risk to Philippine agriculture," the BPI warned, noting that illicit entry could introduce plant pests and diseases.
The DA-BPI National Plant Quarantine Services Division committed to safeguarding the country's plant resources through stringent border control and efforts to ensure safe and compliant agricultural trade. Suspicious imported fresh plant products may be reported to the nearest DA-BPI Plant Quarantine Office.
Earlier, the DA reported increased support for research and development (R&D) on ube, in partnership with various universities, including the University of the Philippines Diliman and Los Baños, and the establishment of geographic indication for ube in different parts of the Philippines. The agency is also proposing PHP93 million for ube R&D in 2027, a significant increase from the current PHP17 million.
