Antwerp Net Polished Diamond Exports Plunge 71%

(IDEX Online News) – Imports of polished diamonds by Belgium leaped in February, though only by value. The volume of imports has declined compared to February 2011, as have net exports.

Gross polished diamond exports increased modestly in February, up 4.3 percent to $1.37 billion, according to data released by the AWDC today (Tuesday). The volume of exports has declined 15.4 percent to 0.66 million carats.

The average value of gross exports increased accordingly to $2,095.15 per carat.

Imports leaped 41.2 percent to $1.25 billion, while the volume declined 3.9 percent to 0.6 million carats. The average value of imports stood at $2,070.20 p/c in February.

Net exports were therefore 52,400 carats worth $124.8 million averaging $2,382.17 p/c. Compared to February of last year, this is a 64.4 percent decline in volume and 71.2 percent decline in value.

Antwerp's added value, the average value of net exports as compared to the average value of imports, was a high 15.1 percent.