Where were sugar plantations first set up?

Sugar plantations were first established in the Mediterranean region, particularly on the islands of Cyprus and Crete, during the medieval period. However, the large-scale production of sugar began in the Caribbean during the 17th century, especially in colonies such as Barbados and Jamaica. The demand for sugar led to the establishment of extensive plantations in these regions, driven by the labor of enslaved Africans. This marked the beginning of sugar as a major cash crop in the New World.