1560-1807: The slave trade out of Recife, the chief port of Pernambuco, was the first Brazil-based traffic to commence operations.

1560-1807: The slave trade out of Recife, the chief port of Pernambuco, was the first Brazil-based traffic to commence operations. It later served as the primary operational base for the Dutch slave trade during their occupation of the Pernambuco region between 1630 and 1654. While West Central Africa remained the consistent and major source of captives for the colony, merchants also engaged with West African markets. To facilitate these purchases, they utilized rolls of locally grown and prepared tobacco as a unique trade commodity.