(IDEX Online News) – Belgian exports of polished diamonds soared by 33.4 percent in February to $1.63 billion from $1.22 billion a year before, according to figures published by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).

 

Exports in volume terms last month totaled 654,708 carats compared with 562,410 carats in February 2012.

 

Meanwhile, exports of rough diamonds in February jumped by 46 percent to 10.8 million carats from 7.40 million carats a year earlier, and rose 29.3 percent to $1.42 billion from $1.10 billion in February last year. The average price per carat declined to $129 from $145 in February 2012.

 

In imports of rough diamonds in February, there was a rise of 35.0 percent to 10.4 million carats from 7.74 million carats last year, and a 17.7 percent jump to $1.36 billion from $1.15 billion in 2012.

 

Imports of polished diamonds in volume terms in February inched down 0.9 percent to 507,833 carats from 512,441 carats, but increased to $904.7 million from $814.5 million in February 2012.

 

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

 

Exports to Hong Kong last month jumped 66.3 percent on a year earlier to $678.8 million, and soared 69.4 percent in volume terms to 223,247 carats.

 

Exports to United States last month rose 24.9 percent on a year earlier to $318.6 million, but fell 14.0 percent in volume terms to 68,037 carats.