Page 400 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

22
ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

Part V.-REPORT ON THE TRADE AND COMMERCE OP
MOHAMMERAH EOR THE TEAR 1806.

Abstract op Contents.
General. Agriculture.
Export*. MiBcollanooao.
Imports. Bundar Naari.
Shipping. 8tatiotio3.

General.
There has been a general increase in trade and rise in prices owing to good
crops and increase of population by immigration.'
Conditions of Trade.—One of the chief difficulties connected with trade
on the Karun is the necessity of giving large advances to the cultivators before
the prospects of the harvest are assured.
The buyers practically have to act as bankers to the cultivators—goods
imported are usually sold on three or 8ix months* credit and paid for in
instalments.
Exchange.—Exchange averaged about 51 brans to the £1,

Exports.
Wheat.—Wheat shipments shew a slight falling off, only about 2,000 tons
of the 1895 crop being shipped in the first quarter, which is the principal
season for wheat export, owing to the embargo, only partially removed in
January, having prevented large purchases. A large quantity of wheat has
gone direct from the fields by lighter to Mesopotamia where crops were short,
only returns of that shipped at Eundar Nasri are obtainable.
Cum.—The increaca in gum is due to new districts being tapped from
Bundar Nasri.
Beans.—Beans for the first time were shipped to London (112 tons).

Imports.
Sugar.—There was a large increase in the import of beet sugar, principally
French; this is bought by Native merchants in large quantities and is forwarded
by them to some extent to other provinces.
Piece-goods.—The principal cotton goods and local prices of same are as
follows:—
Market rates.
81b. grey shirting, 4«. llid. per piece Of $8 ysrfs.
Mb. „ n 5*. 10 id. „ „ ^ *
White II »«. Bid. „ 19 . 40 „
dyed in India, 8#. per piece of 10 j*xd*.
II It
Manchester printa, 20#. to 80#. per piece of 80 yard*.
Indian „ 8«. per piece of 44 yards.
The tables of Karon trade 6hew all cargo carried; in previous years returns
of local cargo by Persian boat were not obtainable.