India's Rough Imports $7.8 billion in H1

(IDEX Online News) – India's rough diamond trade is hurting from the global luxury and economic situation. However, traders imported more rough in June than they did in May of this year.

India imported $1.18 billion worth of rough diamonds in June, a 4.2 percent increase compared to May but a deep 25.6 percent year-over-year dive, based on gross figures just released by the GJEPC.

The average value of imports, $104.05 per carat, declined 11.6 percent compared to June 2011. The decline in average value is also seen in the shorter term, down 5.9 percent month-over-month.

The volume of imports increased 10.7 percent from May to 11.4 million carats.

In the first half of 2012, India imported $7.78 billion worth of rough.

Exports of rough diamonds pointed mostly downwards. $113 million worth of gross exports are a 3.4 percent decline compared to May and a 34.9 percent decline compared to June 2011.