The price of the Smyrna Sultanas fluctuates considerably; but it may be said that the best grades are always from twenty-five to thirty per cent higher than the dipped raisins of Valencia. Thus, in 1843, dipped Valencias brought six and a quarter cents, while the Smyrna Sultanas brought ten cents. In 1844, the Valencias were quoted at ten cents, while the Sultanas brought twenty cents per pound. Of late years, the Smyrna Sultanas have fluctuated between four and a half and twelve and a half cents per pound.
Production and Export.
—The production of Smyrna raisins and dried grapes has enormously increased during the last few years. In 1844, the average crop was only from six to eight thousand tons. In 1868, this had increased to nineteen thousand tons, and in 1871 we find the export from Smyrna to be forty-eight thousand tons. In 1881, this had grown to seventy-five thousand tons (according to the consular report of Consul-General G. H. Heap of Constantinople). Of the districts already mentioned, Chesme and Vourla produce about three times as much as Yerly and Carabourna. A somewhat varied estimate of the Smyrna raisin crop is given by Consul W. E. Stevens of Smyrna, in his report dated February 28, 1884. According to him, the raisin crop of Smyrna should amount to one million, nine hundred thousand hundred weight or ninety-five thousand tons. These two consular estimates would give Smyrna as follows: 1871, forty-eight thousand tons; 1872, thirty-one thousand tons; 1879, seventy-five thousand tons; 1881, forty-nine thousand tons; 1884, ninety-five thousand tons. This, of course, includes all kinds of raisins. As regards the Sultana raisins, the reports of the two consuls also differ. By Consul Stevens, it is estimated to be thirty-two thousand, five hundred tons, or sixty-five million pounds; while Consul Heap puts the figures at only nineteen million, four hundred thousand pounds, or only nine thousand, seven hundred tons. We have no means to verify the statements, but are inclined to think the higher figure the more correct. If it is true that the raisin yield of Smyrna to-day reaches one hundred thousand tons, it would be absurd to think that only ten per cent should be Sultanas, which is the principal raisin grape of the district. It is more probable that at least one-third of the whole crop consists of Sultanas. About eighty per cent of all the Sultana raisins go to England, ten per cent are consumed by Eastern Europe and Russia, a small part only going to the United States.
Cost of Vineyards in Smyrna.
—The cost of vineyards in the Smyrna district varies just as it does elsewhere. Bearing vineyards change hands at from three hundred to four hundred and fifty dollars per acre. The yearly labor on an acre of vines, including pruning, cultivation and drying, amounts to fifty dollars an acre or more. The average yield per acre averages from about eighty-five to ninety dollars, leaving a profit of from thirty to forty dollars, equal to from about eight to ten per cent on the capital invested. I believe, however, that these figures may be modified, and that the profit on an acre of average vineyard often reaches from fifty to sixty dollars. The fact that an acre of vineyard sells for four hundred and fifty dollars indicates that it must not only give a fair but a good interest on that sum. The raisins from one acre of a Smyrna vineyard are sold for $88. The interest on the par value of an acre ($450) for one year at five per cent is $22.50. The other expenses during the year amount to $50, leaving, as net profit, $6.50. The above is a low estimate copied from English statements.
Other Varieties of Raisins.
—Besides Sultanas, Smyrna produces an enormous quantity of raisins of other kinds. The demand for these has been and is constantly increasing, the most being shipped to manufacturers of wines, distilled liquors of all kinds, jellies, jams, etc. These varieties are known as Large Black and Large Red. These varieties are grown in all the Smyrna districts, and in quantity far exceed the Sultanas. The following will give an idea of how this trade has increased of late. Red and Black Smyrna raisins in tons: 1868, 12,795; 1876, 15,500; 1881, 40,000; 1883, 45,000; 1888, 60,000. The price varies from three to four cents per pound in the local market. Judging from the constantly increased export of these kinds of raisins, it is not likely that the production of the same is likely to soon be overdone.
ITALY AND ITALIAN RAISINS.
Lipari and Belvidere.
—Of the Mediterranean countries, Italy produces the smallest quantity of raisins. We cannot imagine this to be on account of unsuitable soil and climate, but more on account of the tardiness of its people to take kindly to new industries and improve upon their older methods. In former years the raisins from Southern Italy were much exported to Northern Europe; to-day the trade is insignificant. In the sixteenth century, the raisins from Lipari and Belvidere were of considerable repute, but were, however, considered inferior to the Spanish raisins. The Island of Lipari, to-day principally known on account of its volcanoes, produces yet so-called Lipari currants of larger size than those from Morea. They are of much inferior quality, being hard and dry and of oblong shape.