Belarus Rough Diamond Imports Sink 71%

Hurt by a falling demand in its polished diamonds, Belarus has severely cut its rough diamond imports. In the first nine months of the year, the country imported 26,100 carats of rough diamonds worth $6.2 million, falling 62 percent in volume and 70.7 percent in value, according to Interfax.

Third quarter imports fell 53.2 percent to 10,600 carats and by 75.6 to $1.088 million. Most of Belarus’ rough diamond imports in the third quarter were from Russia and Israel.

The majority of the country’s polished diamond exports are to the U.S., Belgium, Israel and the Far East.