The Sulu Archipelago and its people, by Sixto Y. Orosa ...

THE LAND

Inspecting a cargo of pearl shell that has just been landed.

direct trade relations with Singapore and Sandakan, but
most of the foreign trade is in the hands of the Chinese.
The principal imports are rice, woven materials, kerosene oil, thread and cotton yarn, dyes, flour, sugar, iron,
steel, brass, and paper. The islands have great agricultural and commercial possibilities, and they should be
able to raise all the rice and other commodities they
need.
The exports consist of pearl, pearl shell, copra, dried
fish, and abaca In 1905 the total imports amounted
to 548,562, and the exports to P277,768; in 1915
the imports amounted to 1550,894, the exports to
P963,568.64; and in 1919 the imports amounted to
P836,340, the exports to P680,177. The value of pearls
is not included in the figures given, as no record of sales
of these is to be had. As shown by the figures, the trade
of Sulu has increased enormously within recent years.