High value: Sugarcane grown in tropical and subtropical regions required much labor, specialization, and considerable capital investment to cultivate. The processing of sugar also involved specialized machinery and expertise. As a result, the production costs were high, making sugar a valuable and expensive commodity.
Scarcity and demand: Sugar was not always easily accessible or produced in large quantities. It was an exotic commodity obtained through long-distance trade routes, especially during the earlier periods. Due to its limited availability, sugar was highly sought-after and commanded premium prices in the markets.
Symbol of wealth and luxury: Sugar was often associated with luxury, affluence, and indulgence. It was considered a delicacy and a status symbol, especially among the upper classes. The consumption of sugar was a way to display wealth and social prestige, and it became an integral part of extravagant feasts and culinary creations.
Royal patronage and taxation: In some societies, sugar production and trade were tightly controlled by royal authorities or governments. They levied high taxes on sugar, making it an essential source of revenue for the state. This further added to the notion of sugar as a prestigious and valuable commodity.
Colonial economies and trade: Sugar plantations established in the Caribbean and other regions became highly lucrative during the colonial era. These plantations relied on slave labor to cultivate and harvest sugarcane on a large scale. The global trade of sugar generated substantial profits for plantation owners and merchants involved in the trade routes, contributing to the wealth associated with sugar production.
Thus, sugar was considered a rich crop primarily due to its high market value, limited availability, luxurious status, royal patronage, and the wealth it generated for producers, traders, and colonial economies.