Japan Polished Diamond Imports Slip Further

There has been no let up in Japan’s continued decline in polished diamond imports. Imports in June registered a further 10.7 percent decline, totaling $72.99 million. In weight, the country’s imports declined 23.6 percent to 153,670 carats. The average value of imports in June was $474.97 per carat.

Japan’s polished diamond imports have been in continuous decline for almost a year, since August 2006. With the exception of July and January 2006, imports have waned since October 2005.

The deteriorating imports have resulted in a 16.4 percent drop in the value and volume of polished diamond imports in the first six months of the year compared to last year. In value it totaled $455 million and in volume 1,127,167 carats, an average of $408.10 p/c.

Leading supplier India shipped 111,510 carats worth $27.4 million, an average of $246 p/c. Belgium exported 13,349 carats worth $17.4 million, averaging $1,301 p/c. Israel was the source of 7,370 carats worth $9.4 million with an average value of $1,279 p/c.