Which crop became especially valuable in the transatlantic trade?

The crop that became especially valuable in the transatlantic trade is sugar. During this period, sugar cultivation became extremely profitable due to its high demand in Europe. The establishment of sugar plantations, particularly in the Caribbean, relied heavily on slave labor, which was a marked aspect of the transatlantic trade system. Sugar was not only a popular commodity for consumption as a sweetener but also played a significant role in the economy and trade networks of the time, creating a cycle of trade that included not just sugar, but also rum and other goods produced from it.

In contrast, while crops like wheat, cotton, and barley were important, they did not have the same level of economic impact or urgency in the transatlantic trade routes. Wheat was more commonly grown in Europe, cotton gained importance later in the 19th century, and barley was mainly associated with brewing and animal feed rather than direct trade as a cash crop. This distinguishes sugar as the centerpiece of the transatlantic trade during its peak.