Belgium's Polished Diamonds Exports in September up Slightly

(IDEX Online News) – Belgian exports of polished diamonds rose in September to $1.37 billion from $1.33 billion a year earlier, according to figures published by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).

However, they soared 249.5 percent on the August figure, and in volume terms surged 217.9 percent on the month-earlier figure.

Exports in volume terms last month totaled 565,285 carats compared with 617,783 carats in September 2012. The average price per carat jumped to $2,419 from $2,155 in September 2012, and was up 14.5 percent on August.

Meanwhile, exports of rough diamonds in September fell to 8.82 million carats from 9.77 million carats a year earlier, but rose to $1.20 billion from $1.15 billion in September last year. The average price per carat rose to $136 from $117 in September 2012.

In imports of rough diamonds in September, there was a slight increase to 7.54 million carats from 7.44 million carats last year, and a rise on a month earlier of 29.5 percent, while slipping to $1.05 billion from $1.07 billion in 2012. The average price per carat declined to $139 from $144 in September 2012.

Imports of polished diamonds in volume terms in September climbed to 657,097 carats from 612,253 carats, but rose to $1.38 billion from $1.18 billion in September 2012.

The average price per carat rose substantially last month –to $2,099 from $1,926 in September 2012.

Belgium's leading export markets for its polished diamonds in financial terms in September were the United States, Hong Kong, Israel, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.

Exports to the United States last month were $299.7 million from $247.3 million last year, and 56,782 carats from 69,900 carats.

Exports to Hong Kong last month were $611.2 million from $649.6 million last year, and 202,109 carats in September from 265,466 carats in September 2012.