Global diamond production decreased by 3.88 percent in 2007, according to recently published statistical data on diamond output, exports and imports in 2007 from the Kimberley Process (KP). This follows previously released data from 2005 and 2006.

According to the data, a total of 169,198,857.66 carats were produced in 2007. This marked a decrease from production in 2006, which totaled 176,030,231.94 carats.

The Russian Federation mined 23 percent of this in 2007, Botswana 20 percent and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 17 percent. These percentages are unchanged from the previous year’s figures.

However, whereas in 2006 Australia’s production, which totaled 29,940,451.30 carats, made up 17 percent of total worldwide production, in 2007, that number shrunk to 11 percent of global production, or 18,538,645.31 carats.

Production by value came to $12.107 billion, a 0.2 percent decline, of which Botswana mined 24 percent, Russia 22 percent and Canada 14 percent.

The most valuable diamonds per carat were mined in and exported from Lesotho. Production from this tiny southern African kingdom carried a value of $722.77 per carat and its exports, $729.42 per carat.

Overall, in line with last year’s figures, the European Community (EC) was the largest importer of rough diamonds by volume and value – 186,660,168.95 carats and $14.43 billion respectively – and captured 39 percent and 36 percent of these respective overall totals.

The second largest importer in terms of volume was India (36 percent), followed by United Arab Emirates (9 percent), China (5 percent) and Israel (5 percent).

The declared value of total imports was $40.07 billion, with the EC importing 39 percent of the goods by value, India 24 percent, Israel 15 percent and China 6 percent.

KP is a joint governmental, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds, the trade of which has fueled devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the DRC and Sierra Leone.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme requires and enables its members to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’. As of September 2007, the KP has 48 members, representing 74 countries, with the European Community and its member states counting as an individual participant.