Despite the Nearing Holiday Season, Belgium Polished Exports Decline 4.4%

(IDEX Online News) – Belgium exported $1.06 billion worth of polished diamonds in October, a 4.4 percent year-over-year decline. Even more worrying than the year-over-year comparison is that exports fell 20.7 percent compared to the previous month and as Holiday purchases are expected to start.

The decline in value has taken place despite an increase in the volume of exports – 601,054 carats – which is a year-over-year increase of 12.8 percent , according to figures published today (Thursday) by AWDC.

The shift follows a decline in polished diamond prices, as highlighted by the average value of exports – $1,757.46 per carat, down 15.3 percent from a year ago.

Polished diamond imports declined 9.9 percent to $1.07 billion during October.

Source: AWDC