Page 106 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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mar&et. 'Hie following' estimate, furnished by a reliable local- authority, tends
to confirm this report.
Cases.
1931 crop : approximately' 7,500'
3932 crop : approximately ./ 2,500
: jTolaf . 10,000
Exports about J J .V 3,000
Stocks in hand •V *v .• • 5,800
In merchants go-dow/is V • 1,000—1,500
Gum.—There have been fairly extensive shipments of gum, principally in
view of their value in export certificates' althongh there was a sharp demand
from Germany for lower qualities towards (he cud of the year.
Imports.
Sugar.—The itnport of sugar into Persia is a monopoly of (he Russians/
but deliveries have been erratic and prices have shown a tendency to increase.
Matches alsoaro now controlled bv a Russian monopoly and short deliveries
of inferior qualities have Caused some profiteering in spite of a Controlled official
price.
Piece-goods.—Cotton piece-goods form an important item in the Persian
market which has been flooded with cheap Japanese goods of a design suitable
to Persian tastes. The Russians, who previously had practically driven British
(Lancashire and Indian! goods, from the market found themselves in turn,
unable to compete in spite of price-reductions and offers of discounts. Japanese
business is conducted principally, through buying agents in Bombay where
goods are transhipped to British India Steam Navigation Company's boats/
The terms are usually 20 .per cent, with order and balance payable on shipment
of the goods. No credit is allowed but discounts are accorded varying between
10 and 40 per cent.
Manchester piece-goods still cotne into the country but in very limited and
diminishing quantities and only in certain lines of standard quality such as
white mulls, white nainsooks and Black Italians. Messrs. Zieglers fell me that
they are unable to cove^r the eo.st of a recent import of one of their oldest and
inost stable lines, a white shirting made especially for them.
Tea.—As a result of (lie' general economic situation the import of tea, which
is almost entirely Indian, has fallen considerably and prices have increased from
Rials 57$ per man in January 1932 to Rials 72 in December of the same year.
Sunday market.—According to reports there is a general tendency through-
Out the country to. purchase from Britain in preference •e to the United States of
America or other European sources hut this condition is said to be due entirely
to exchange consideration. In view of the competitive prices offered by the
United Kingdom manufacturers, a. rapidly increasing number of British trucks
is being imported by Messrs. Zieglers who have completely dropped competing
American interests.
The .relative position of other foreign interests, excluding Russian, remains
unaltered.
The Commercial Treaty with Russia, which was signed' oh October 27, 1931,
came into, operation during .the year and strenuous efforts were made by the
local Soviet Trading Organization to take advantage of the favourable terms
of the Treaty to develop Russian trade with Persia. Persian merchants,
however, were not slow to discover that the Treaty merely strengthened Russian
control of Persian markets to the detriment of the Persian merchants them­
selves and the unpopularity of the agreement provoked an agitation for its
cancellation.
The traditional hostility to the Russians in this district and distrust of theif
trading methods is detrimental to the development of their activities and apart
from the monopoly goods they have not met with great success.
J. G. BATLLIE,
tl. M.’s Vice-Consul,
Busliire%

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