Israeli Rough Diamond Exports, Imports Keep Rising

Imports of rough diamonds to Israel were up 22 percent to $446 million in September from $365 million in September last year, underlying the industry’s continued thirst for the goods last month.

While carat data will only be released on Monday, the rise in import value is probably a reflection of a growing specialization in bigger goods polished in the country and of course the runaway rough diamond prices that only came to an end in late September, early October.

Since January, rough imports have shown a dramatic increase of 36 percent.

Exports of rough from the country registered a more modest increase, up 6 percent to $212 million from $200 million during the comparable period last year.