What does this quote mean to you??

Question

Although the introduction of new foods no doubt had these social uses for millennia, only the transportation revolution of the sixteenth century caused these foods to occupy an important place in international trade. As the world economy made them valuable, they were transformed from spiritual or sensual balms into the foundations of vast, secular fortunes.

Please explain in about two sentences how this quote reveals a theme, aspect of history, society, or economics. Thank you :)

Answer 1

it means tl;dr