Russia Exports $1.7 billion of Rough Diamonds in 2006

Russia exported 35 million carats of rough diamonds, worth $1.7 billion in 2006, according to information released by the Russian Finance Ministry.

The figures, which were reported by Interfax, include exports of rough diamonds from the State Precious Metals and Gemstones Repository (Gokhran).

In 2006 Alrosa exported up to $600 million worth of goods to the Diamond Trading Company (DTC), the marketing arm of De Beers. After this year, Alrosa will no longer be able to supply De Beers, which means that the miner will need to find new customers for about a third of Russia's annual rough diamond exports.