Japan Polished Diamond Imports Slide 17% in October

Polished diamond imports to Japan totaled $ 74.92 million in October, a 16.9 percent decline compared to October 2007. Japan imported 229,706 carats of polished diamonds, a 13.9 percent decline, for an average value of $326 per carat.

India, Japan’s main supplier of polished diamonds, shipped 190,117 carats valued at $33.19 million, an average value of $175 p/c. Imports from India declined 11.2 percent in volume and 32.2 percent by value.

Belgium was source of 16,545 carats worth $21.3 million, rising 20.5 percent in volume and 19.4 percent in value. Imports from Belgium averaged $1,288 p/c.

Israel, the third largest supplier to Japan, exported in October 7,095 carats tagged at $6.82 million, averaging $961 p/c. Imports from Israel declined 34.1 percent in volume and 23.1 percent by value.

Year-to-date, Japan imported $671 million of polished diamonds with an average value of $336.11 p/c.