Antwerp’s Rough Diamond Exports Hurt
December 22, 10The decline in exports is probably explained by the drop in purchases by Indian manufacturers and traders. This has not, however, slowdown imports of rough diamonds.
Belgium imported $919.4 million worth of rough, a 25.7 percent increase, according to figures released by AWDC. The volume of imports increased as well, totaling 9.3 million carats, a 14.4 percent increase compared to November 2009.
The figures mix together gem and industrial grade goods and therefore the average value of this trade is not purely indicative of gem quality prices. However, the numbers are interesting. The average value of gross exports jumped 23.8 percent from last year to $88.25 p/c. The average value of imports increased 9.9 percent to $99.42.
The November declines do not represent the year to date activity of the diamond center. Exports of $9.85 billion are a very impressive 50.5 percent growth in the value of exports. Belgium shipped out 36.4 percent more goods by volume - 115.4 million carats of rough.
Imports grew at nearly the same rate - 48.9 percent to $8.76 billion worth of rough, bringing in 100.5 million carats, up 27.2 percent.
The average value of the exports and imports swelled 10.3 percent to $85.38 p/c and 17 percent to $87.20.