Japan: Polished Diamond Imports Decline in May
July 05, 06 by Edahn Golan
Japan imported $95.7 million worth of polished diamonds in May, a 5.6 percent decline compared to May 2005. The country, a leading diamond jewelry consumer-market, saw the volume of imports rise 11.2 percent to 249,994 carats to an average of $382.83 per carat.
Due to the dollar / yen exchange rates, imports in yen rose 1.1 percent in value to 10.87 billion yen.
India continued to be the leading supplier of polished goods to the island country, with imports of nearly 41 percent in value and 72 percent by volume - $39.054 million and 179,828 carat respectively – to an average of $217 per carat. However, while the supply increased in volume, it declined 7.5 percent in value compared to May 2005.
Belgium, the second largest source of polished goods to Japan, with 23.2 percent of total goods, saw a 9.7 percent decline in value and shipped $22.164 million worth of goods for a $1,168 per carat average.
Israel shipped $16.66 million worth of polished at an average of $1,353 per carat, and increased its exports to Japan by 7 percent during the month.
