The greatest decrease in imports was in the necessaries of life, such as petroleum, soap, sugar, coffee, tea, and woolen goods. The prices of these commodities have consequently increased considerably and are continuing to rise. The Government has endeavored to remedy this condition by ordering merchants to sell their wares at reasonable prices.
The prices of kerosene has advanced from 80 to 200 piasters a box (two tins), soap from 9 to 10 piasters an oke (a piaster is equivalent to 4.4 cents and an oke to 2.82 pounds), sugar from 4 to 10 piasters an oke, coffee from 15 to 36 piasters an oke, and tea from 5 to 10 piasters a box, while the prices of clothes, shoes, and other articles of wearing apparel have increased on an average about 50 per cent.
Trade Opportunities Along Certain Lines.
Notwithstanding the limited means of the people of this district and its small trade, there is a slight market here for some kinds of goods. These opportunities are undoubtedly increased to some extent by the present situation, which has cut off many of the former sources of supply, and when means of transportation are again available tradesmen will have to replenish their stocks.
Among articles formerly obtained from European countries that might be supplied by the United States are candles, cigarette paper, copper (sheet), enameled iron and steel ware, fezzes, matches, nails, sheet iron, shovels, and sugar. The market for sugar is especially good, and there is also a considerable demand for enameled ware, the sale of which is increasing rapidly, and for nails and shovels.
Demand for Cotton Goods.
The sale of many articles now imported in limited quantities from the United States may readily be increased. Most important are cotton goods, especially cabots. On investigation it was found that these are sold in this district in much greater quantities than was previously supposed. It is believed that if proper arrangements could be made, American cabots might take the place, to a great extent, of those now imported from other countries. The American cabot “A” is well known in Turkey and is extensively used both in the army and among the people. Any cabot to be sold here must be cheap and durable. There is also a good market for calicoes and prints. Calicoes must be unstarched and prints must be of fast colors. Bright colors with large flower designs are preferred; prints having animal designs would not sell here. Large quantities of yarn are used, especially in the region of Arabkir, in the manufacture of a cotton cloth called “manoosa,” which is made and worn throughout Asia Minor. In the past practically all the yarn has come from England and India. Care should be taken about sizes, as only certain numbers are used, and only English numbers are understood. Remnants of ginghams, calicoes, ribbons, or any other textile articles would have a good sale here.
Increased Market for Second-Hand Clothing, Shoes, Knit Underwear, etc.
Other articles of wearing apparel that are now imported from the United States in small quantities might be sold more extensively. The rapid increase in the sale of second-hand clothing is an indication of the possibilities in this line. The dealers in these goods have no difficulty in selling all they can get and report a growing demand for them, due largely to the return of many Armenians who have lived in the United States. The men in this region are gradually discarding their native “entari” (a union waist and skirt, in appearance like a woman’s dress) for modern clothes, which they find more convenient. Style is of less consideration than cheapness. One frequently sees men wearing second-hand women’s jackets.
American shoes are worn here to some extent, and there is a fair market for shoes that sell for not more than $2 or $8. There is also a growing demand for rubber overshoes, nearly all of which now come from the United States. Owing to the present lack of transportation facilities they are being imported by post.