Antwerp Exports $1Billion of Polished in April

(IDEX Online News) - Antwerp’s diamond traders exported $1.01 billion worth of polished diamonds, a 45.1% year-over-year increase. Imports were practically at the same level, $1.008 billion, up by 43.4%. The volume of April’s exports increased by 28.8% to 672,804 carats, averaging $1,501.56 p/c, based on figures released today (Thursday) by the AWDC.

The volume of Belgium’s April imports increased by 12% to 668,576 carats, carrying an average value of $1,508.27 p/c.

These figures translate into a net export of 4,227 carats worth $1,863,354 as the trading center fully turned its polished goods.

In the first four months of 2011, Belgium exported a little more than 3 million carats worth $4.44 billion and averaging $1,472.79 p/c. Net exports during the period totaled $231.9 million.

Antwerp’s exports typically decline in April compared to March due to seasonal demand. This April, exports declined 22.5% by value month-over month while imports softened by 24.7% compared to March.