The US has awarded USD34.1 million to strengthen the Philippines’ ube industry, with more than 12,500 Filipino farmers expected to benefit over five years as international demand grows for the purple yam used in food and beverage products.
The funding, provided by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Food for Progress Program, will support development of the ube value chain, aiming to improve the industry’s capacity to supply higher-value markets and participate more competitively in global food supply networks.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton announced the award, saying American nonprofit organization TechnoServe would implement the project and provide technical expertise to support industry development.
The initiative comes as ube gains visibility as an ingredient in products ranging from desserts to beverages, creating opportunities for Philippine producers to move beyond raw agricultural sales and capture more value from growing international interest.
“I am pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded USD34.1 million for a project in the Philippines through the Food for Progress Program to support the development of the Ube (Purple Yam) value chain,” Lipton said.
He described ube as an important raw material for innovative food and beverage manufacturers worldwide, including those in the United States.
The project will be financed through proceeds from the sale of nearly 40,000 metric tons of American soybean meal, linking US agricultural exports with development assistance for Philippine agriculture.
The arrangement also highlights the commercial ties underpinning the two countries’ agricultural relationship, connecting an American commodity export with efforts to strengthen a Philippine crop’s market potential.
For local farmers, the expected benefits will depend on how effectively the program improves production, technical capabilities and access to buyers. Expanding demand alone does not guarantee higher incomes, particularly if producers face constraints in quality standards, processing capacity or supply consistency.
Lipton said the award would further strengthen bilateral economic ties as the Philippines and the United States mark the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship this year.
The five-year initiative now faces the task of translating funding and technical support into more resilient supply chains and sustained market opportunities for Filipino ube growers.
