India's Polished Exports Fall Sharply in October
November 19, 25
(IDEX Online) - India's cut and polished exports fell sharply in October to $1.026bn, down 27 per cent year-on-year and down 25 per cent on the previous month, according to new figures from GJEPC (Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council).
Exports peaked in September at $1.368bn, as manufacturers raced to beat US deadlines. They then fell back in October to around where they were in July and August.
The US imposed a 25 per cent tariff on 7 August, rising to 50 per cent on 27 August. The grace period (25 rather than 50 per cent) for goods in transit before August 27, ended on 17 September.
"The decline in overall exports in October was mainly due to demand being pushed forward before the US tariff was implemented," GJEPC chairman Kirit Bhansali told the PTI news agency.
"Most of the stocking up for the festivals took place before August 27, therefore, in October the demand was down."
Overall gross exports of all gems and jewelry fell by 30.6 per cent year-on-year to $2.168bn, that's a drop of 25.6 per cent compared with the previous month.