The sweet potato a buyer wants is defined by flesh colour and type: the sweet, moist orange flesh that dominates Western retail, a drier white flesh for certain markets, or a purple-skinned specialty. Egypt grows across the range, with the orange-flesh Beauregard type leading exports. This guide breaks down the main Egyptian sweet potato varieties and how to match them to your buyers.

Quick answer: The Egyptian export mainstay is the orange-flesh sweet potato, led by the Beauregard type — copper skin, sweet moist deep-orange flesh. Related orange types include Covington and Evangeline. White / cream-flesh types are drier and less sweet; purple-skin white-flesh (Japanese/Murasaki) and purple-flesh types are specialty. Roots are graded on shape, size and intact skin. Sweet potato trades under HS code 0714.20.

Egyptian sweet potato types at a glance

TypeSkin / fleshBest for
Beauregard (orange)Copper skin / deep orange, sweet, moistEU & UK retail (the mainstay)
Covington / Evangeline (orange)Orange flesh, sweet, uniformEU retail & foodservice
White / cream fleshPale flesh, drier, less sweetSelected & ethnic markets
Purple skin / white flesh (Japanese)Purple skin, sweet white fleshSpecialty retail
Purple fleshDeep purple fleshSpecialty & health retail

Beauregard and orange-flesh types: the export mainstay

Beauregard is the workhorse of the global sweet potato trade and the heart of Egyptian exports: copper-coloured skin, sweet and moist deep-orange flesh, reliable yield and good storage. Related orange types like Covington and Evangeline offer similar eating quality and uniformity. These dominate EU and UK retail programs and are graded tightly for size and shape.

White-flesh types

White or cream-flesh sweet potatoes are drier and less sweet than orange types, with a firmer, more starchy texture. They serve certain regional and ethnic markets where that profile is preferred, and add range to a program beyond the mainstream orange line.

Purple types: specialty

Purple-skin, white-flesh (Japanese/Murasaki) sweet potatoes have striking purple skin with sweet pale flesh, while purple-flesh types are vivid throughout and popular in health-focused retail. Both are specialty lines that command premium positioning in the right markets.

Choosing the right type for your market

For mainstream EU and UK retail, specify orange-flesh Beauregard (or Covington/Evangeline). For specific regional demand, white flesh. For specialty and health retail, purple types. Then agree the size grade and pack. A good supplier will match variety, grade and curing to your destination’s retail standard.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main Egyptian export sweet potato?

The orange-flesh Beauregard type, prized for sweet, moist flesh and good storage.

What other varieties does Egypt grow?

Other orange types (Covington, Evangeline), white/cream-flesh types, and purple specialty types.

What is the difference between orange and white flesh?

Orange flesh is sweeter and moister; white flesh is drier, firmer and less sweet.

Are purple sweet potatoes available?

Yes – purple-skin (Japanese) and purple-flesh types are grown as specialty lines.

Under what HS code is sweet potato traded?

Fresh sweet potato falls under HS code 0714.20.

How to cite this page

PEI Trade. “Egyptian Sweet Potato Varieties: Beauregard & More.” peitrade.com, 2026. https://peitrade.com/egyptian-sweet-potato-varieties/

Sources

  • Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture; industry references — sweet potato varieties grown for export.
  • CBI / USDA FAS — EU demand by flesh type (orange, white, purple).

This page is part of our Egyptian Sweet Potato Export Guide hub.

Source the right Egyptian sweet potato with PEI Trade. Orange-flesh Beauregard, white-flesh and purple specialty types, graded to your size and pack, with GLOBALG.A.P. handling and proper curing. Contact: sales@peitrade.com · WhatsApp +20 109 911 1918 · www.peitrade.com