Japan’s Polished Diamond Imports Keep Sliding

Imports of polished diamonds to Japan continued their downward slope, declining in May 15.9 percent to $80.515 million on imports of 186,203 carats, which declined 25.5 percent. The average price per carat of Japan’s imports was $432.40.

Imports in the first five months of 2007 have declined 17.4 percent in value to $387 million and 15.1 percent in volume to 973,497 carats, an average of $397.55 p/c.

Imports from India declined 24 percent to $120.95 million with a 32.7 percent drop in volume - 120,947 carats, an average of $245 p/c.

Imports from Belgium were $21.7 million for 18,825 carats, edging down 2.1 percent in value and 0.8 percent in volume. Israel was the source of $13.8 million in goods weighing 11,929 carats, declining 17.2 percent and 3.1 percent respectively.

The average value of imports was $1,153 p/c for the Belgium goods and $1,157 p/c for the Israeli.

As in previous months, imports from China skyrocketed compared to May 2006, growing 262.8 percent in value to $1.1 million, and 619.4 percent in volume to 2,143 carats, averaging $511 p/c. This is still a relatively small supply. However, it is worth following as the trend continues.