10% Drop in Japan’s November Polished Diamond Imports

Imports of polished diamonds into Japan suffered in November, falling 9.8 percent to $91.89 million. The fall bucks the modest upward trend witnessed since January, with imports increasing 2.6 percent during the 11 month period to $1.07 billion.

Japan imported 181,626 carats of diamonds in November, down 25.4 percent compared to November 2004. During the January – November period the country imported 2,292,108 carats, a 7.6 percent decrease compared to the same prior year period.

India continues to be the leading source of polished diamonds into Japan. India exported 104,866 carats diamonds, worth $25.445 million in November, down 39.4 percent in value and 31.6 percent in volume compared to the same period last year.

Belgium, the second leading source, shipped 22,339 carats of goods valued at $22.62 million. Israel exported 15,524 carats, worth $17.469 million during the period.