Belgium’s Rough Diamond Trade More Than Doubles in March

Belgium exported in March $1.01 billion worth of rough diamonds with a total volume of 13.61 million carats, rising year-over-year by 129.4 percent and 122.3 percent respectively. Rough diamond imports totaled $854.1 million on shipments of 10.1 million carats. Compared to March 2009, this is a 91.4 percent increase in value and 46.3 percent increase in volume.

Total rough diamond trade in March stood at $1.86 billion, compared to $886.4 million in trade during March 2009, based on figures released this week by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).

Net exports from Belgium stood at 3.5 million carats with a declared value of $155.6 million.

Compared to February, gross exports grew by 11.7 percent in value and 26.1 percent by volume, underscoring the continued improvement in the rough diamond section of the diamond industry.