High demand causing ube shortage, says Fil-Am food manufacturer

PITTSBURG, California — High demand has caused a shortage in a Filipino American food manufacturer’s supply of ube (purple yam).

Ramar Foods announced a shortage of all-natural ube used in several ice cream flavors under Ramar’s Magnolia brand. Due to the popularity of the comfort food and surges in demand during the Covid-19 pandemic, the supplies are going to be limited, Ramar stated.

“Ube is a winter crop and it was not abundant during the summer season,” explained Jojo Bronoza, a Ramar Foods representative. “Due to the Covid -19 pandemic happening early in the year and the lockdown in Manila, our forecast for the summer needs could not be met. People’s fear of contracting Covid -19 put a damper on production due to limited labor.”

Ramar’s purple yam ice cream.

Ramar Foods will keep “evenly” distributing ube products to Asian stores within the United States to help fill the needs of customers, especially during the pandemic.

All of Ramar Foods’ all-natural ube is imported from the Philippines and is not available anywhere else. High demand in the Asian American market, logistics, and supply issues caused by COVID-19 have limited the ingredient’s availability.

Ramar Foods is trying to find ways to safely go back to the normal supply in the current environment. It will keep communities updated on the shortage.