Antwerp Show Signs of Strong Rough Recovery
November 16, 20
(IDEX Online) - Antwerp's rough exports for October were up 82 per cent by carat and 75 per cent by value year-on-year, further fueling hopes of a sustained recovery from the pandemic.
Newly-released figures from the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) show increases rough imports are not far behind, up 78 per cent by carat and 65 per cent by value.
Trade in polished gems, a far smaller sector, has yet to show the same positive signs. October imports were down 16 per cent year-on-year in carats (35 per cent in value) and exports were down eight per cent in carats (40 per cent in value).
The rough recovery reflects strong performances by Gem Diamonds which achieved a Q3 average of $2,215 per carat - higher than pre-Covid - and Alrosa which raised $6.9m at a specials tender in Antwerp.
Total rough exports for October were $957m (10.5m carats) and imports were $873m (9.7m carats).
Pic shows Antwerp Diamond Club trading floor