by Rita
Sugar plays an extremely important role in our daily lives. It is a crucial ingredient in food processing and culinary endeavors. Therefore, the sugar industry can be seen as an indicator of a country's level of development. In the case of Taiwan, the sugar industry once thrived, boasting unparalleled production and export volumes compared to other products. Whether during the Dutch era, Ming and Qing dynasties, the Japanese occupation, or the period of the Republic of China, the sugar industry played a significant role in attracting wealth and cannot be ignored. This article will take you on a retrospective journey through the century-long history of Taiwan's sugar industry, narrating key historical events and providing an overview of its development, step by step rewinding through time to explore the rise and fall of Taiwan's sugar industry.
The Birth and Sprouting of Sugar in Taiwan
We all understand that sugar has two main sources: one is sugar beets, primarily grown in cold regions, and the other is sugarcane, which thrives in subtropical areas. Taiwan belongs to the latter category, with its hot and humid climate, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil making it suitable for sugarcane cultivation. When did Taiwan begin cultivating sugarcane? Based on available historical records, it is inferred to have started during the Yuan Dynasty. According to the Island and Dao-yi Chi-lue written by Wang Dayuan of the Yuan Dynasty, there is a sentence that mentions, 'The people of Ryukyu boil seawater to make salt and brew sugarcane juice into wine.' Therefore, it is determined that there is a record of sugarcane cultivation in Taiwan during the Yuan Dynasty. However, the mention of 'Ryukyu' in the text is still controversial, as it cannot be conclusively determined to refer to 'Taiwan.'
‘Sweet ’collision with the Dutch
The establishment of the sugar industry in Taiwan can be traced back to the Dutch colonial period. In 1624, after the Dutch took control of Taiwan, entries in the Batavia City diary mentioned 'Xiaolong Society produces sugarcane' (Xiaolongshe is now in the Jiali district of Tainan). This indicates that the local indigenous people, specifically the Pingpu tribe, had already begun cultivating and utilizing sugarcane. However, at that time, the indigenous people primarily lived through hunting, and there was no significant need for advanced commercial trade, resulting in less refined and widespread techniques in the production of 'sugar' products compared to the Han Chinese.
During the Dutch colonial period, upon learning that Taiwan's climate and soil were suitable for sugarcane cultivation, the Dutch were excited at the prospect. Recognizing the economic potential of such a high-value crop, they seized the opportunity and actively encouraged sugarcane cultivation for sugar production. They also improved cultivation techniques, leading to a substantial increase in sugar production. Sugar became a major export commodity, traded to places such as Japan, Persia, and Batavia.
Moreover, one of the most famous anti-Dutch events in Taiwanese history, the Guo Huaiyi event, involved armed conflicts between Han Chinese farmers and the Dutch authorities. It erupted due to dissatisfaction with severe taxation imposed by the Dutch and resulted in over three thousand Han Chinese casualties, equivalent to a quarter of the Han Chinese population at that time. Historical events like these reveal the Dutch concern mainly for the sustainability of sugar production, as some remarked that Han Chinese farmers were the 'best silkworms' for increasing the company's profits. The people on the island of Formosa were even described as 'honey-producing bees,' and it was lamented that without this workforce, the survival of the Archives of the Dutch East India Company would be jeopardized. From these historical accounts, it is evident that the Dutch placed a high value on the sugar industry, often neglecting the survival and rights of the Han Chinese settlers in Taiwan. It also sheds light on the harsh living conditions endured by the population under Dutch rule, forced into becoming tools for profit in the competitive world of trade.
The Gradual Prosperity of the Sugar Industry Development
After the expulsion of the Dutch by Zheng Chenggong in 1661, Taiwan experienced distinctive changes in the development of sugar during the Ming Zheng period. At that time, Taiwan served as a stronghold for resisting the Qing Dynasty and needed to conduct land reclamation to address food shortages for the military. As a result, there was a shift in focus towards developing rice, leading to a gradual decline in sugar production. Nevertheless, trade was still crucial for acquiring funds to exchange for iron and copper for weapon manufacturing. Consequently, the cultivation of sugarcane and sugar production underwent continuous technological improvements, becoming more refined. Despite the decrease in sugar production, the export volume remained considerable, reaching an annual output of up to 18,000 metric tons.
During the Qing rule, the sugar industry continued to thrive. In contrast to the authoritarian approach during the Dutch and Ming Zheng periods, the Qing government adopted a more liberal and laissez-faire attitude towards the sugar industry, with no strict regulations or constraints. Sugar production mainly took place in traditional sugar mills, constructed with bamboo and thatch. Oxen were used to turn stone mills, squeezing the juice from sugarcane. Subsequently, the sugarcane juice was boiled into crude sugar in sugar refining houses. There were over 1,000 sugar mills in Taiwan, with eighty percent concentrated in Tainan. The technology of sugar refining, as depicted in the 'Fan She Cai Feng Tu' (pictured below), clearly shows Chinese workers engaged in the process, while indigenous people were not involved, indicating the introduction of this technology from China to Taiwan.
Under Qing rule, the sugar industry experienced vigorous growth, perhaps due to less government interference and the efficient operation of sugar mills. This flourishing development, especially after the opening of ports, reached its peak during this period.
Fan She Cai Feng Tu - Sugar Mill" - The illustration depicts Han Chinese engaging in sugar refining tasks within and around the sugar mill. ( Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica ) (Version 2022-07-06T03:29:20.991648) [Data set]. https://data.depositar.io/dataset/de183）
The Elite Force of Sugar - Refinement and Maturity
In 1894, Taiwan was ceded to Japan due to the First Sino-Japanese War, marking the beginning of over fifty years of Japanese rule. During this period, the development of the sugar industry not only continued through continuous technological improvements but also saw the establishment of various systematic systems, transforming sugar production into a comprehensive "business model." For instance, the transformation of traditional sugar mills into modern sugar factories significantly increased productivity and efficiency. Additionally, the introduction of agricultural cooperatives, known as 'Corporation,' aimed to control sugarcane raw materials and acquisition prices. During this time, a familiar saying among the Taiwanese emerged: 'The stupidest person in the world is planting sugar cane and letting the cooperative weigh it..' This saying describes how cooperatives would offer low prices and even manipulate scales, resulting in unfair practices.
Despite these challenges, the sugar industry achieved a relatively orderly and industrialized stable model. Aside from remarkable export performances, by 1939, the annual sugar production reached 1.4 million tons, securing its position as the world's third-largest producer. Moreover, the development of the sugar industry during the Japanese occupation indirectly influenced the growth of related products such as sweets and canned goods, and has affected the future eating and consumption habits of Taiwanese people.
Glorious days may have faded, but it is by no means the end
After the Restoration of Taiwan, during the era of the Republic of China, the Nationalist government established the Taiwan Sugar Corporation (referred to as TSC), taking over the four major cooperatives and other sugar factories from the Japanese occupied period. They also repaired various equipment damaged during World War II. Although the 1950s and 1960s marked the beginning of Taiwan's economic development, the international sugar prices were depressed, and the government primarily focused on increasing food production. As a result, the sugar industry's production and exports were not as prosperous as before. TSC realized that survival solely based on the sugar industry was not sustainable. Gradually, they diversified into various sectors, including livestock farming and even ventured into the medical field by collaborating with foreign companies to establish an antibiotic factory.
Over the past century, the sugar industry has experienced numerous dramatic changes, oscillating between lows and highs, stagnation and surges. Despite its past dominance in sales rankings, it ultimately had to adapt to the times and embark on a different path. However, this does not signal the end of its glory. "Sugar" will continue to exist in our lives in different forms. Through the development story of the sugar industry, we also gain insights into the backgrounds and trends of each era. It goes beyond narrating history; it vividly depicts the lives of the people on this land—stories of simplicity in their heart and hard-working moments .
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