Page 55 - 5 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE I_Neat

EUSI11RE. 11
put into tlic hands of warehousemen there, and in the other to
transhipment of Belgian sugar in the United Kingdom- So also
in the case of Germany’s pseudo-import of 7,359/., it is almost
entirely a case of shipments by German steamers of Belgian sugar.
At the beginning of 190G an Austro-Hungarian brand was still
in great repute in the coastal and southern regions of Persia, but
no deliveries took place after April, when it was practically driven
off the market by a Belgian sugar. Several characteristics served
to commend the Belgian brand to the consumer of the littoral,
who likes to stir his sugar long in his glass; it is far less quickly
soluble in water than either the French or Hungarian sugars, and is
not too sweet, but the principal attraction lies in its cheapness.
At the end of 190G prices began to fall considerably in Persia,
due partly to low rates in Europe but principally to the glutted
state of the markets here. It is characteristic of the Persian mer­
chant that lie buys sugar without watching the tendency of the
market. Throughout the year huge orders were given, and at one
time all available space in the custom house was filled with bags of
sugar. Ou a slight easing of the market in Shiraz in the month of
May, lfOG, a general scramble ensued to get sugar away from Bushire,
and more orders went forward to Europe, with the result that
matters reverted to their former condition. Prices for the Belgian
sugar in Bushire have varied from 4 krans (Is. 5d.) per man (7| lbs.)
or 70 krans (11. 2s. 3d.) per case. In February, 1907, it stood at
62 krans per case ; about March prices were down at 54 krans (11.)
per case of about 18 Bushire mans (FIS lbs. approximately).
There is some probability that the Hungarian sugar will
return to favour in the course of 1907-03; they have now quota­
tions for 1* 70-kilo, as well as 1*80 and 2-kilo, cones. Cones of
1*70 kilos, are generally 3<Z. to 4d. dearer per cwt. than!*80 cones.
In the past there have been attempts to introduce British-made sugar
into Persia, but the manufacturer did not accommodate himself
to the market. Cube sugar will not pay in Persia, and cones should
be in the dimensions mentioned above. Some effort should be
made in the United Kingdom to quote cones at a price which will
compete with foreign brands. No Russian sugar was imported
throughout the year and very little Egyptian.
There are three principal brands of soft sugar imported:—Soft sugar.
(1) Austro-Hungarian. The best liked, a very sweet sugar in
clear, white, large crystals and packed in bags of 2 cwts. net. Its
price in Apiil, 1906, in Bushire was 2*90 krans (approximately Is.)
per 7 J lbs. In May this fell, owing to large stocks on the market, to
2*70 krans (under lid.). By March it had recovered slightly and
rose to 3 krans as there was a certain scarcity up-conntry. (2) Also
Austro-Hungarian in manufacture, but the crystals are not so
large or so white as No. 1, and its price is about 5d. per cwt.
cheaper, though that has not yet destroyed the established pre­
ference for No. 1. (3) First marks granulated. A German kind
which is only appreciated in the coast districts. Very little has