Japan Polished Imports Drop 40% in August

Imports of polished diamonds to Japan totaled $60.83 million in August, a 39.5 percent drop compared to August 2005. The center slashed imports from most of its big sources, with the exception of China and Russia.

According to figures released by JTC Inc., Japan imported 196,235 carats in August, a 7 percent decrease over last year.

Imports from India dropped 39.9 percent to $28.49 million, dipping 1.6 percent in volume to 160,938 carats. Indian imports achieved an average price of $177 p/c (per carat).

Imports from Belgium declined 43.4 percent to $10.38 million on imports of 12,181 carats – a 32.8 percent decrease in volume and an average p/c price of $852. Imports from Israel fell 30.8 percent to $6.33 million on shipments of 4,414 carats of goods, a 33.1 percent decline in volume. The average price for Israeli goods totaled $1,434 p/c.

While still a minor supplier, imports from China to Japan more than doubled, increasing by 134 percent to $1.56 million on shipments of 1,430 carats – an 11.6 percent increase in volume at an average $1,087 p/c. Russian shipments to Japan increased by 11.2 percent to $2.5 million, increasing volume by 12.1 percent to 1,137 carats. Russian goods achieved the highest average p/c price at $2,207.

While imports from major suppliers declined, imports from smaller sources not listed in the top nine countries increased 21.5 percent in value and 20.6 percent in volume. These imports totaled $4.064 million, on 3,949 carats – at an average of $1,029 p/c.