Namibia's Diamond Production Slides 9%

IJG analysts said they expected production by Namdeb, Namibia's main diamond producer, in line with last year's 1.47 million carats.

Namdeb is a 50-50 joint venture between De Beers and the Namibia's government.

"We do not expect this level to change significantly over the coming years," said analyst Robin Sherbourne.

Diamond sales in the January-April period rose 0.3% to 348,965 carats.