India Imports $1.06 Billion Worth of Rough Diamonds in June

India imported $1.15 billion worth of rough diamonds in June, a 45.3 percent increase in the value of imports compared to June 2009. The volume of imports increased 17 percent to 15.9 million carats, as prices raced forward during the year.

Based on provisional figures released by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the average value of imported rough rose to $72.35 per carat from $58.25 p/c in June 2009, a 24.2 percent increase.

Rough diamond exports rose to $90.9 million from $56.6 in June 2009. Shipments totaled 2.5 million carats.

Net imports totaled $1.06 billion in June of this year.