Which crops contributed to Martinique’s colonial economy?

During the development of Martinique as a French colony, several key crops were introduced that significantly contributed to its economic prosperity. The agricultural foundation of the colonial economy was built upon the following:

• Sugarcane: Introduced in 1654 by Dutch Jews who had been ousted from Brazil, this crop became a cornerstone of the island's economy.1
• Cotton: This was another early crop introduced to the colony.1
• Cacao: The first plantations for cacao, the source of chocolate, were established on the island around 1660.1
• Coffee: Introduced from Arabia in 1723, coffee cultivation further bolstered the prosperity of the colony.2

These agricultural developments were central to the colonial system, which operated under the principles of the Pacte Colonial, designed to ensure that the colony enriched the mother country.2