Page 195 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

EEBIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1803-94. .25

Sugar-—Marseilles sugar was imported in large quantities during the year,
although it was reported that there was a brisk trade in Russian sugar from
the nbrth. The heavy cost of transport between the Gulf ports and the north
of Persia constitutes the chief bar to a really successful development of the trade
in Marseilles sugar, and it seems probable that the present revival in the
Russian sugar trade is but the first atop towards a resumption by the latter of
its old ascendancy in the northern markets. The imports of Mauritius sugar
show a considerable increase on those of the previous year.
Tea,—It is gratifying to be able to record that, notwithstanding the difficulties
with which trade in general has had to contend during 1893, the imports of tea
ahow a marked increase on those of previous years. The tea which is import­
ed into Persia from the south comes almost exclusively from India and Java,
and there can be no doubt that it finds favour in the Persian markets.
Jadging by the figures of the last few years, it would certainly seem as if this
trade was capable of considerable expansion.
Metals,— There has been a marked revival of activity in the trade in copper,
and imports have been largely in excess of those for 1892. On the other hand,
there has been a great decrease in the demand for iron.
Woollen goods,—Trade in woollen goods appears to have been exceedingly
brisk during 1893, and imports were heavy.
Lamps and lamp-ware.—There has been an increased demand for lamps and
bmp ware daring the year.
Exports.
Cereals.—There was an abundant grain harvest in the Bushire districts in
1893, and no inconsiderable portion oE the yield, which was largely in excess of
local requirements, was, notwithstanding the high cost of transport, attracted to
the interior, where, in many localities, owing to the destruction of the crops
by locusts, the price of grain was very high. In consequence of the general
distress prevailing in Shiraz and the surrounding districts, owing to the high
price of grain, an embargo on the exportation of wheat was imposed by the Go­
vernment in May, and was still in force at the close of the year. The export
of cereals previous to the adoption of this measure had been, however, insigni­
ficant owing to the unremunerative rates ruling in the European markets, -
which, moreover, remained unfavourable for transactions in wheat throughout
the year.
Tobacco.—The chief market for Persian tobacco is to be found in Turkey,
bnt exports to that country during 1S93 were much restricted owing to the mono­
poly enjoyed by the Turkish Company “La Societd du Tombac”, which had, in
1891, succeeded in obtaining a concession from the Porte of the exclusive right
of importing foreign tobacco into Turkey for a period of 25 years dating from
April 1892. Persian tobacco can therefore only be imported into Turkey
through its agents, and many Persbn merchants, who were formerly in the
habit of exporting largely to Turkey, have been obliged to suspend operations
entirely.
Opium.—The partial destruction of the opium crops by locusts was a heavy
blow to Persian commerce. The yield for the year was very poor, and the value
of the total export shows a decrease of £132,000 when compared with the ex­
port of 1892.
Almond kernels,—European crops were again large, and exports from
Persia to Europe were accordingly inconsiderable. Heavy shipments were, it
is stated, made to Bombay by Native merchants with satisfactory results.
Shells,^— Owing to the heavy exports of the inferior description of shells
during recent years, the English markets have been overstocked, and prices ruled