How to Source Ube in the United States
Ube has become one of the fastest-growing food trends in America. From ube lattes at specialty coffee shops to ube ice cream at major retailers, demand for authentic Philippine purple yam is surging across the US market. Philippine Ube supplies premium ube powder, fresh ube, and ube paste directly to American businesses, including restaurants, cafes, bakeries, food manufacturers, and retailers.
As a Filipino-owned supplier, we handle all export-side documentation including phytosanitary certificates, certificates of origin, and FDA-compliant paperwork. We ship to all major US ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Ube Products Available for US Import
All products are real Dioscorea alata, the genuine Philippine purple yam. Never purple sweet potato, never artificially colored.
Ube Powder
Most Popular for US
- No cold chain required, simplest to import
- 12–24 month shelf life
- Two grades: Heritage Reserve (30 or 100 mesh) & Ani (100-120 mesh)
- Uses: lattes, baking, ice cream, confectionery, supplements
- MOQ: 100 kg (exceptions for first-time buyers)
Ube Spread
Coming Soon
- Single-origin heirloom ube spread
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Smooth, spreadable consistency
- Uses: toast, pastries, dessert fillings, gifting
- Packaging: 200 g jars
Ube Paste
Ready to Use
- Ready-to-use format for bakeries and food service
- Refrigerated shipping
- 3–6 month shelf life
- Uses: bakery fillings, desserts, ice cream bases
- Available on request — contact us for packaging and pricing
US Import Requirements for Ube
Importing ube into the United States requires compliance with FDA regulations. Here's what you need to know, and what we handle for you.
FDA Facility Registration
The US facility receiving the ube must be registered with the FDA. This applies to manufacturers, processors, packers, and warehouses. If you work with a customs broker or third-party warehouse, they typically handle this registration.
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)
US importers must comply with FSVP, which requires verifying that foreign suppliers meet US food safety standards. We provide all documentation needed for your FSVP records: certificates of analysis, production facility details, and food safety procedures.
Prior Notice
Prior notice of imported food shipments must be filed with the FDA before arrival at the US port of entry. This is typically handled by your customs broker. We provide all shipment details, product descriptions, and documentation needed for prior notice filing.
What We Handle (Export Side)
Philippine Ube handles all export-side documentation: phytosanitary certificates from the Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry, certificates of origin, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of analysis, and allergen statements. You receive a complete documentation package with every shipment.
Shipping Ube to the United States
Sea Freight (Most Common)
4–6 weeks from Manila to US West Coast (LA, Long Beach, Seattle). 6–8 weeks to East Coast (NY/NJ). Most cost-effective for orders over 500 kg. Reefer containers available for fresh ube. FOB Manila and CIF US port pricing available.
Air Freight (Fastest)
5–7 days to major US airports. Higher cost but essential for time-sensitive orders, fresh ube, or initial sample shipments. We use temperature-controlled packaging with monitoring for fresh products.
US Ports Served
We ship to all major US ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, New York/New Jersey, Houston, Miami, and Savannah. Your customs broker handles clearance at the port of entry.
Documentation Package
Every US shipment includes: phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of analysis, bill of lading, and allergen statement. Complete paperwork for smooth customs clearance.
The US Ube Market
Ube has gone from a Filipino community staple to one of America's most in-demand flavors. Starbucks launched ube drinks nationwide, Trader Joe's stocks ube products, and ube lattes have become a signature offering at specialty coffee shops from Los Angeles to New York. Philippine yam and tuber exports (including ube) are estimated at approximately US$3 million in 2025, with the US as the fastest-growing market.
But as demand surges, so does the problem of imitation. Many products marketed as "ube" in the US are actually made from purple sweet potato or use artificial coloring. As a Filipino-owned supplier, Philippine Ube provides the real thing: genuine Dioscorea alata, sourced direct from Philippine farms, with full traceability to prove it.
US Businesses We Supply
Coffee Shops & Cafes
Ube lattes, ube frappes, and ube matcha. The purple drink trend is booming across US specialty coffee
Restaurants
Filipino restaurants, Asian fusion, fine dining. Ube desserts and ube-infused dishes for menus that stand out
Bakeries
Ube pandesal, ube ensaymada, ube cakes, ube cookies. Authentic Filipino flavor for American bakeries
Food Manufacturers
Bulk ingredient supply for ice cream brands, confectionery companies, snack producers, and CPG products