Sweet Potato
Spain – a leading producer of Sweet Potato
Spain has become an important European supplier of fresh sweet potatoes, especially for EU retail and wholesale markets. Production is concentrated mainly in Andalusia and Murcia. Early harvest starts in August and stored product lasts until April.
The Spanish export market is dominated by orange-fleshed varieties, but there are also traditional white-fleshed regional types. Typical EU export specifications include cured product, clean skin, uniform shape/colour, no cracks or rot, low root damage. Product can be washed or brushed.
Varieties
Orange flesh ( Aug — Apr)
Beauregard
The standard export variety because of its colour uniformity, sweetness and good shelf life.
Bellevue
Important and newer export variety. Uniform roots, higher cosmetic quality than Beauregard, strong resistance to cracking.
Covington
Sweet, moist, and smooth with good storage and long shelf life. Usually has smoother skin, fewer defects than Beauregard, and stronger resistance to cracking.
Hernandez
Large roots and moist texture. Good storage ability.
California
Mild sweetness and medium-sized roots.
White Flesh ( Aug — Apr)
O'Henry
White flesh and light/pale skin. Less sweet with a drier texture.
Murasaki
White flesh and purple skin. Dry texture, sweet, with a chestnut-like flavour.
Purple Flesh
Purple Passion / Stokes Purple
Purple flesh and purple/red skin. Dry and dense, nutty/chestnut-like flavour, good storage.
Okinawan
Purple flesh and beige/pale brown skin. Dense texture and moderate sweetness.
Harvest season by Variety
Sizes and packaging
