Belgium Polished Imports, Exports Jump in ‘03
January 28, 04
Boosted by increased exports in December, annual polished diamond exports from Belgium jumped by nearly 12 percent by value and 9 percent by weight as polished imports were also on the rise, rising almost 13 percent by value and by a more modest 4 percent by weight.
The Belgium diamond industry closed 2003 on a high note, enjoying a good year of trade. Polished exports in December of 759,741 carats worth $582,494,848 were a 24.1 percent increase in value and 18.58 percent in weight over December of 2002.
December imports to the center amounted to 619,787.25 carats valued at $477,458,017, a 22.72 percent in value and 12.88 percent in carat terms compared to December 2002.
On a yearly basis the country exported during 2003 some 10,060,129 carats of polished diamonds fetching $7,186,131,477 up 11.88 percent in dollar terms and 8.88 percent in weight.
Imports to Belgium stood at 9,557,594 carats costing $6,402,711,536 in 2003, rising 12.75 percent by value and by a more modest 4.12 percent by weight.
36 percent of exports during the year were to the U.S. valued at over $2.592 billion followed by Hong Kong, Israel and Italy.
