Page 114 - 5 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE I_Neat

14 DUSU1RK.

Cwtll.
France ............... 35,038
United Kingdom... 49,045
Belgium............... 4,537
Germany............... 2,270
Austria-IIungary... 542
India ............... 5,998

The exports from France arc probably correct, though to this
figure has to be added a certain amount of Marseilles sugar, in­
cluded in the transhipments from India. As regards the rest it
was all either Belgian or Hungarian, in proportions which work
out rouglily at S6 and 14 per cent, respectively. This would
make the import of Belgian sugar quite 51,GOO cwts. and of
Hungarian 8,400 cwts.
Marseilles sugar seems to have been fairly ousted from tbe
Gulf littoral, and the changes to have been rung on one Belgian and
one Hungarian brand; Kazenm may be said to be the boundary
line beyond which little Belgian sugar goes up-country. From
April, 1906, till March, 1908, the Belgian brand formed almost
the entirety of the import at Bushirc for Gulf consumption, and
it was only at the close of the period with which this report deals
that Hungarian sugar began to reappear. Reference was also made
in the report for 1906-07 to the reduction of the weight of the cones
in which shape sugar is alone imported here. The former standard
2-kilos. Marseilles cone has been adhered to as far as possible in size,
but the weight of the Belgian and Hungarian sugars have gradually
been reduced from 1 *80 to 1*70 and 1*65 kilos., and during 1907-08
the former cones weighed almost all 1*60 kilos, (sold at the same
price as 1 *70 and 1 *80 kilo, cones were previously) and the latter
1 *70 kilos. But whereas French sugar is sold up-country by weight,
these other sugars are sold in the Gulf districts by cases, and
consequently retail sellers are able to make natives ignorant of
the difference in weight pay practically as much for a cone of
1*60 kilos. as for a cone of 2 kilos. The French sugar is well-
packed with straw, the wooden case is strong and often hooped
with iron ; this is very necessary because of the rough handling
in lighterage and caravan transport. For donkey transport up-
country this brand usually arrives in bags of 24 cones ; the Belgian
and Hungarian brands are packed in cases of 36 cones.
Customs duties on loaf sugar are 3 shahis (0 *72d.)per Tabriz m&n
of 6J lbs.; this works out at about 12 -id. per cwt. The weight
of paper and outer wrapper is included in the dutiable weight.
Other charges, such as lighterage, come to about 2\d. per case or
bag. Wholesale prices in Bushire averaged during 1907-08:—
For the Belgian 6Ugar from 5CJ to 57 and 58 krans (U. 2s. to 11.2s. 4d.
and 11. 2s. 9d.). It is interesting to note that the agents of two-
French refineries were out making inquiries and canvassing for
orders.