Israel’s Polished Diamond Exports $340M in August

Israel’s net polished diamond exports totaled $340 million in August, according to data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics. The Bureau did not report on returns, but did provide an additional exports figure of $854.1 million, likely gross exports. This will translate into imports of $514.1 million in August.

Rough diamond exports during the month reached $221.6 million on gross exports of $244.3 million.

Year-to-date, Israel’s rough and polished diamond imports increased to $4.9 billion compared to $2.6 billion in the first eight months of 2009.

Exports during the January-August period totaled $5.9 billion compared to $3.3 billion in 2009.

Jewelry exports from Israel amounted to $32.4 million in August.

Diamond trading is a large component of Israel’s international trade. In August, diamonds accounted for 13 percent of the country’s commodity exports, the Bureau said.