Page 176 - 5 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE I_Neat

14 BUSIURK.

Cereals.—Owing (o the untimely fall of the rains—representing
a total of only 7J inches—in the winter season of 1908 09 and the
consequent wholesale failure of the crops, prices rapidly rase in the
Dashtistan districts, and there was no passibility of an export to
Europe or India. Prices per Hashem mdn (121 lbs.) of wheat ranged
from 25 to 30 brans (9.9. 1</. to 1 Is.) in Bushirc itself and considerable
distress was felt, though tlie tribesmen of the Dashtistan districts
are careful to keep in reserve a sufficiency for their own wants and
future sowings. Barley also fetched IS to 23 krans {6s. 9d. to 8s. 6d.)
per 1 lashcm mdru Prospects for the rainy season 1909-10 are generally
supposed to be good, as plentiful rains have fallen in India; should the
rain, however, again hold ofT and crops be poor, the economic situation
will be seriously affected, as, besides the poverty and shortage of food
that is sure to occur among the large part of the population, the pur­
chasing power of the population will be so reduced as to influence the
import trade.
The districts of Dashtistan and South-Eastern Arabistan, forming
a belt of fertile land, roughly 75 miles in width, would be capable
of raising large supplies of wheat for export, provided that, in addition
to security, some sort of transport by traction, a better system of
irrigation and modernised implements could be introduced.
But at present the export of grain even in years of abundance and low
prices is almost impossible owing to the export duty of 1 kran (4J<f.)
per 10 mans (651 lbs.), equivalent to 13 to 10 per cent. ad valorem, and
it is also affected by arbitrary embargoes.
Under the old tariff nearly 20,000 tons were exported from Bushire
in 1S93, and as late as 1900 2.000 tons, and it will be regrettable if the
trade be not revived.
In Bushire itself a gradual process of desiccation of the natural
water supply appears to be proceeding, and some artificial supply of
water is greatly needed.
Opium.—The crop was good, though the export showed a decrease
of 754 cwts. on 1907-08.
The China market proved better than London, as the following
figures prove:—
China. London.
Cwts. CVts.
1906-07 ... 1,859 640
190<-06 ... 894 2,950
190S-09 ... 1,925 1,314

Local prices are at present about 4,000 krans (72Z. 15$.) per chest
of 1G0 cakes in Isfahan, and in Shiraz ISO to 190 krans (31. 5s. to 31. 9s.)
per man of lbs. Little export is at present proceeding.
After March 21, 1908, no forward sales were practicable in London,
124. 3d. was being paid in April for Persian opium containing 10 per
cent, of morphia. A heavy Turkish crop was erpcctcd, and the market
continued dull in anticipation of veiy low prices till the beginning of
June, when a short improvement set in, prices for forward sales rising
from 134. to 14s. Gd. for July and August shipment*. During August,
September and October, 1908, business was more or less confined to
spot sales at about 124. From November prices rose, forward sales