Belgian Polished Exports Almost Unchanged on Year in November

(IDEX Online News) – Belgian exports of polished diamonds edged down in November to $1.14 billion from $1.15 billion a year before, according to figures published by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).

Exports in volume terms last month totaled 546,215 carats compared with 562,722 carats in November 2012. The average price per carat climbed to $2,086 from $2,050 in November 2012.

Meanwhile, exports of rough diamonds in November rose to almost 10.0 million carats from 7.20 million carats a year earlier, and rose to $1.29 billion from $1.04 billion in November last year. The average price per carat declined to $129 from $145 in November 2012.

In imports of rough diamonds in November, there was a decrease to 7.58 million carats from 7.89 million carats last year, while slipping slightly to $1.09 billion from $1.10 billion in 2012. The average price per carat edged up to $143 from $139 in November 2012.

Imports of polished diamonds in volume terms in November fell to 529,354 carats from 588,126 carats, and decreased to $1.00 billion from $1.04 billion in November 2012.

The average price per carat, however, rose last month to $1,897 from $1,761 in November 2012.

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

Exports to the United States last month were $319.6 million from $372.3 million last year, and 53,955 carats from 68,004 carats.

Exports to Hong Kong last month totaled $228.1 million from $266.9 million last year, and 144,874 carats in November from 136,451 carats in November 2012.