File 1889/1916 ‘Mesopotamia; Export of dates’ [‎298r] (605/709)

BASRA.
9
The purchase prices of Hallawis, Khadrawis and Sayers from the
growers was, therefore, at the outset 8s. 4d., 6s. 2^d. and 4s. 8d.
respectively per cwt. Hallawis were in great demand for shipment in the
American steamers, and the price of the fruit stiffened immediately,
rising to 400 shamis and later to 460 shamis. The early shipments
to London were not very successful, especially in the case of the
“ Chumpon,” as some of the dates shipped by that vessel still remain
in London unsold.
Notwithstanding the large demand for Khadrawis for Australia
and for cartons, the price of the fruit remained steady throughout
the season.
Sayers fell rapidly to 200 shamis, and subsequently to 190 shamis.
The result of shipments to London was, on the whole, unsatisfactory
and, owing to mistakes made in transhipment at Bombay, much of
the earlier consignments via Bombay is still unsold. .
Consignments by the “ Chumpon ” and “ Woolwich promised
well, as buyers in London seemed disposed at first to pay high prices
for the fruit in view of its early arrival, but they drew back as soon as
they received notice of the heavy shipments anticipated by the regular
tide steamers. Brices in London before the season for first tide
shipments opened at:—•
Hallawis
Khadrawis
Sayers
Per Cwt.
s. d.
13 9
12 6
10 0
On the fixing of high prices in Basra London at first responded,
Hallawis rising to 15s. and Sayers to 10s 3d., but prices afterwards
tell rapidly, Sayers being sold at 7s„ while Hallawis and Khadrawis
W<! Adirect'steamer was again berthed for Australia and a considerable
shipment for this market was sent by German am !J h P "
ment at Aden. Three steamers were loaded direct for New Yo .
Horses —About 1,600 horses were shipped direct from Basra to
Bombay in 1913. The total export of horses was aB
with 1 413 in 1912. The embargo imposed by the Turkish Love n
merit during^he war affected the trade locally, and the remainder were
shipped from Mohammerah. • 1013
Imparts .—The estimated value of imported goods m md.
including goods in transit to Bagdad and Persia was 3,899,2m
compared with 2,637,809f. in the previous year, shomng an increase
of nearly 48 per cent. This large increase is mainly due to the larg
Quantity of Bagdad railway material imported, amounting to about
34 000 tons The import of crushed sugar was enormous, showing an
fnmease of 261,854 bags. Food-stuffs were imported m considerable
quantities from India owing to the bad haniest in feopotamia and
consequent local requirements; these include 126,371 bags o^ nee
and 12 267 bags of wheat. There was also a considerable mciea
petroleum machinery and cement. On the other hand wood for
date boxes, piece-goods, coffee, candles, coal, gunnies, indigo, matches,