What was the primary cash crop of South Carolina?

The primary cash crop of South Carolina was rice, particularly during the colonial and early statehood periods. The state's unique geography and climate, including its swampy areas and river systems, made it ideal for rice cultivation. Plantations established along the coastal regions utilized these natural resources to produce large quantities of rice, which became a significant part of both the local economy and the export market.

Rice cultivation in South Carolina was heavily reliant on the labor of enslaved Africans, who brought with them techniques and knowledge that contributed to more successful and efficient farming practices than those used by the European settlers. By the 18th century, rice was not only a staple food crop but also a central aspect of South Carolina's economy, driving trade and wealth in the region.

While other crops like tobacco and indigo were also grown in South Carolina, rice was the dominant cash crop that defined the agricultural landscape of the colony and later the state. Cotton would rise to prominence in the 19th century, but during the earlier periods of South Carolina's development, rice was the key agricultural product that sustained its economy and influenced its social structure.