Belgium's May Polished Diamond Trade Sees Double Digit Increases

(IDEX Online News) – Belgium exported $139 billion worth of polished diamonds in May at an average value of $1,657.44 p/c, rising by 51.2% and 13.5% respectively. The sharp rise comes as exports to India and Israel doubled from last year.

The volume of Belgium's exports in May increased by 33.2% to 839,372 carats, according to figures released today by the AWDC.

Imports marked an even greater increase, rising by 63.8% to $1.2 billion averaging $1,323.96 p/c.

The rising value of trade reflects both a growth in the volume of global trading by the diamond center, as well as rising polished diamond prices. Both are welcomed by the trade.

Antwerp's dealers imported 907,582 carats of polished in May, up 48.2% year over year.

Net trade by the country – exports less imports – reached $189.6 million, a minute 1.6% growth from the prior year.

Net exports in the first five months of 2011 grew by 49.7% to $421.6 million.