U.S. Polished Diamond Imports $794 Mln in April, Sinking 47.4%

U.S. gross polished diamond imports in April declined 47.4 percent to $794.25 million on imports of 743,269 carats, a 20.4 percent decline in volume. The average value of imports fell 33.9 percent to $1,068.59 per carat. Exports of polished diamonds fell 45.7 percent to $589.84 million on shipments of 1,577,117 carats averaging $374 p/c during the month.

Net imports totaled $204.4 million, while in terms of volume, exports exceeded imports by 833,848 carats.

Polished diamond trade in the U.S. has been subdued in the first few months of the year. The average value of imports has declined in April for the third consecutive month, while the value and volume of diamond imports in April softened a few percent points compared to March imports (5.1 percent and 1.4 percent respectively).

Imports from Israel totaled $314.08 million, averaging $2,709.61 p/c; imports of $201 million from India averaged $405.93 p/c; Belgium was the source of $150.1 million worth of goods that averaged $1,855.74 p/c.