Belgian Polished Diamond Exports Rise Slightly on Year in June
July 14, 13
(IDEX Online News)
Meanwhile, exports in volume terms last month totaled 641,674 carats compared with 637,452 carats in June 2012, and were 7.2 percent higher on the previous month. The average price per carat jumped to $2,124 from $2,072 in June 2012, but was up 6.6 percent on May.
Meanwhile, exports of rough diamonds in June jumped to 8.02 million carats from 7.82 million carats a year earlier, and rose to $1.26 billion from $1.07 billion in June last year. Exports in June were down 2.5 percent in volume terms on the May figure, and 3.3 percent lower in dollar terms. The average price per carat rose to $157 from $137 in June 2012, and was 6.1 percent up on May.
In imports of rough diamonds in May, there was a decline to 6.62 million carats from 6.86 million carats last year, and a fall on a month earlier of 25.8 percent, while decreasing to $1.05 billion from $1.11 billion in 2012. Imports were 26.1 percent down on the month in financial terms. The average price per carat edged down to $159 from $162 in June 2012, and was unchanged with the April figure.
Imports of polished diamonds in volume terms rose to 754,186 carats from 649,764 carats, but dropped to $1.44 billion from $1.47 billion in June 2012.
The average price per carat fell substantially last month – down to $1,906 from $2,265 in June 2012, and slipped 3.0 percent on the month-earlier figure.
Belgium's leading export markets for its polished diamonds in June were the United States, Hong Kong, Israel, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.
Exports to the United States last month were $327.6 million from $275.8 million last year, and 55,452 carats from 68,831 carats.
Exports to Hong Kong were $513.0 million from $552.3 million last year, and 204,557 carats in June from 214,972 carats in June 2012.