Page 139 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

RESIDENCY AND MA6KAT POLITICAL AGENCT FOR THE YEAR 1899-1900. 127

Part V.—REPORT ON THE TRADE OF MOHAMMERAH AND
THE KARUN RIVER FOR THE TEAR 1899.
Abstract of Contents.
General. Agriculture.
Exports. Trade routes.
Imports. Health,
Shipping. Postal Bervice.
Statistics.
Keans 63 to 1£ steeling.
General*
Trade generally was stationary, particularly in the wheat-growing districts;
owing to merchants being unable to purchase grain, the export thereof being
prohibited, tte populace had little cash and retail traders in llohammerah and
Bunder Nasri did little business.
Expoets.
TTheat.—Owing to the prohibition on its export being strictly enforced at
Bunder Nasri, little wheat was exported; a certain amount was, however, con­
veyed frem the fields to the sea coast and thence by boat to Basrah.
Horzes.—The increase in shipment of horses is due to horses being brought
from Turliisb territory to avoid increased customs dues there.
Dates.—The amount of dates given in the annexed tables are those only
exported in steamers and Indian sailing vessels: it is estimated that some six
thousand tons in addition were exported by sailing crafts chiefly for India.
Liquorice.—Liquorice was exported to England from the Karon for the
first time, but quality was found to be unsatisfactory.
JFool.—The wool was again inferior in quality and prices too high for the
London market.
Imports.
The principal increase in imports was in cotton goods, and is due to
increased purchases in the Mohammerah market for neighbouring districts
both in Persia and Turkey and for Koweit.
The principal demand and prices were as previously reported. They were
nearly all of Manchester manufacture. A small consignment from Marseilles
consisted of cotton tissue kerchiefs, an article only manufactured on the Con­
tinent ; these were imported previously, but not direct from France.
Sugar.—Sugar again shows an increase, especially loaf. This article is
carried by caravans to neighbouring provinces. It is chiefly French beet,
but Egyptian loaf also shews an increase. Cane soft sugar has now been
almost entirely replaced by beet. Prices rose at the end of the year about 3
per cent, and ranged from 65 to 75 krans per case of 144 lbs. for loaf and from
55 to 65 krans per bag of 1| cwt. for soft.
Matches.—Matches shew a marked increase due to purchases for. neigh­
bouring districts. They are all of Swedish manufacture. Price 180 krans for
sulphur and 250 krans for safety per box of 40 gross.
Date boxes.—Materials for boxes for packing dates were imported from
Trieste for the first time, but ihree-quarters of these were afterwards forwarded
to Turkish territory.
Skipping.
Sea.—Sixteen steamers called with cargo from London, Manchester and
Marseilles, and nine took cargo for London of Messrs. F. C. Strict & Co., and