Polished Diamond Imports to Japan Falls 20% in October

Japan imported 264,525 carats of goods in October worth $88.7 million, a 4.1 percent increase in volume and 19.65 percent decrease in value. In yen, the decrease was only 16.16 percent reflecting the weakening value of the U.S. dollar.

Average value of imports stood at $335 p/c, a 22.82 percent decrease compared to October 2005 when the average price was $434 p/c.

India was the leading supplier by volume value, shipping 214,658 worth $42.5 million ($198 p/c), followed by Belgium (17,911 carats worth $19.89 million, $1,110 p/c). Hong Kong was the third largest supplier by volume (10,263 carats worth nearly $5 million, $482 p/c). Israel was the third largest supplier by value ($7.3 million on shipments of 5,360 carats, $1,361).

In the first ten months of the year, Japan imported 2,301,126 carats worth $855.37 million, an 8.98 percent increase in volume and 8.09 percent decrease in dollar value. The average price stands at $372, a 15.67 percent decrease.