Tough Rough Market Leads to Decline in Belgium's Rough Diamond Trade

(IDEX Online News) – Belgium exported $1.2 billion worth of rough diamonds in April, an 18.2 percent decline as compared to March, backing claims by traders that Antwerp's rough sector has been slowing down in recent weeks.

While year-over-year exports have increased 5.9 percent, traders are concerned that the market is going through a subdued period.

The volume of exports in April, 8.3 million carats, declined 26.7 percent compared to March, yet increasing 17.1 percent compared to April 2011, based on figures published by AWDC.

Imports did not fare any better. Imports of 6.8 million carats worth $1.03 billion declined 24.6 percent and 27 percent respectively month-over-month. Compared to the earlier year, imports decreased 2.7 percent by volume and increased 19.9 percent by value.

Further exasperating the situation, the average value of exports from the trading center, $144.49 per carat, are 4.1 percent lower than the value imported goods.