Page 434 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

22 ADMINISTRATION FKPORT OF THE PEB8UN fUJLF POLITICAL

PART IIL

REPORT ON THE TRADE OF SOUTH PERSIA FOR THE TEAR 188ft.

In the report for year 1886 it was elated that owing to partial failure of the grain crops,
and consequent scarcity, trade generally had been much injured and depressed in South Persia,
and He reoovery or otherwise would depend greatly on the harvest of 1886, the prospects
of which were, when the report waa written,* favourable.
' • ». in March 1886.
Notwithstanding a good average rainfall of 161 inches, there
was again a partial failure of the crops, especially in the Shiraz districts, and the result of this
has been a further depression of trade which waa increased by the unfavourable rates of
exchange. The year under review has accordingly been most unfavourable, and in no previous
year has 60 unsettled a feeling and so much want of confidence prevailed. The consuming
classes have been impoverished from high prices of food, and are unable to purchase other
articles of import to the customary extent. Many of the smaller Persian merchants have
failed. And all who have continued to transact business have had to do so without reckoning
on profits, and what with depressed markets and decreased confidence, no headway has been
made. The prospects for 1887 are still uncertain; the rain came late and has been partial
only, but reports from Shiraz districts are not unfavourable.

Exports.
During the early part of 1885 shipments of wheat were permitted and made, but the
quantity was limited to a few hundred tons. The quality was
C«rcaU.
very good ; the prices of grain were during this period so low
as to allow a profit even on the low prices ruling in Europe. After the hot weather prices
.rose, and in September embargo was placed on exportation of grain which continues in force.
The opium crop was about equal to that of- the previous year, but the China and London
markets were very bad, and there was no demand until Sep­
Opium.
tember.
The tobacco crop was smaller than usual, owing to its being injured by frost in winter,
and prices were correspondingly high. Tobacco is an im­
Tobr.cco.
portant export of Persia, and the trade has attracted attention
t Note.—It is understood this project of late. The Persian Government have decided to institute a
u «baudoned. rpgief for Persian tobacco under the control of the Amin-cs-
Sultan, now head of the whole of the customs of Persia. It is thought- that this measure wiD
unfavourably affect the trade.
ImportA.
The decline of the import trade in cotton goods would have been still greater than it
actually was, had it been governed by the law of profits. A
Manchester goods.
decrease chiefly occurred in printed goods. It was in point
pf fact impossible to import from Europe at a profit, and importers lost heavily, many native
speculators of small means having failed.
There was a steady decline of other leading articles, such as metals and sugar. The com­
petition between French and German sugar continues, and it
Metals and sugar.
is generally expected that the former will gain the market.
Large imports of Marseilles loaf sugar were made, but markets owing to the impoverishment of
the people are overstocked and holders of stocks apprehended loss.
Bhippinf.
The French line of steamers resumed running, but the number is reduced to two, and
these are under the management of an English firm.
Freights from England to the Persian Gulf and Basrah remained unaltered. But in
consequence of keen competition homeward freights feD to
Fmgfata.
16*. per ton to England aud R6 to Jeddah. Towards the
end of the year freights recovered somewhat, and are expected to keep firm for the presen t.