Belgian Polished Exports Surge 15% On Year In September To $1.57B

(IDEX Online News) – Belgian exports of polished diamonds in September rose 15.0 percent on the year to $1.57 billion from $1.37 billion a year before, according to figures published by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).

Exports in volume terms last month increased by 8.8 percent to 615,217 carats, from the figure of 565,284 carats in September 2013.

Meanwhile, exports of rough diamonds in September soared by 9.3 percent to 9.65 million carats from 8.83 million carats a year earlier, and soared to $1.42 billion from $1.20 billion in September last year.

In imports of rough diamonds in September, there was a rise of 19.2 percent to 8.99 million carats from 7.54 million carats last year, and a rise to $1.34 billion from $1.05 billion in September 2013.

Imports of polished diamonds in volume terms climbed last month by 7.6 percent to 707,140 carats from 657,093 carats, and rose to $1.52 billion from $1.38 billion in September 2013.

Belgium's leading export markets for its polished diamonds in financial terms in September were Hong Kong, the United States, Israel, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. Hong Kong is usually in second place behind the United States, but jumped to first position due to the Hong Kong Gem and Jewellery Fair that was held last month which led to a huge input of polished diamonds brought into the former British colony by exhibitors at the show.

Exports to Hong Kong in September surged by 24.1 percent from a year earlier to $758.4 million, and increased in volume terms by 16.0 percent to 234,456 carats.

Meanwhile, exports to the United States last month were by 12.0 percent higher at $335.7 million, and increased in volume terms by 7.2 percent to 60,877 carats.