The Position of the Iranian Rice Trade in Trade Relation with Russia from the Constitution to the End of the World War I Relying on Archival Documents

The Caspian Sea gradually experienced a new position in the Qajar era. The signing of the Turkmenchay Agreement and its commercial annexation further strengthened the position of Russian businessmen in Iran. After concluding a contract and following the actions of the Russians, much security and commercial development was established in the Caspian Sea. Iran's rich resources of agricultural products including rice led to attract the attention of Russia. The main question is what is the position of northern rice in trade between Iran and Russia in this period? And what was the importance of the rice trade in the economic relations between Iran and Russia? Therefore, this research seeks to elucidate the position of rice trade in the northern regions of Iran in Iran-Russia trade relations during of the Qajar period according to library references and archival documents. Our research findings show due to Russia's proximity to Iran and the existence of the Caspian Sea waterway and the need of both countries for each other's products and materials have led to the development of trade between Iran and Russia. One of the trade items of Iran that had a good position in the trade relations between Iran and Russia was rice. At first, it was sufficient for internal consumption, but after the disease found in silkworms, the production of this product multiplied and replaced with silk. Although trade in this product fluctuated during times such as the famine and the October Revolution in Russia, as well as World War I, but the trade in this product continued.