Antwerp diamond industry reports record trade
ANTWERP, February 2, 2015 – The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) reported an increase in the total value of diamonds traded to a record $58.8 billion in 2014, or 227.2 million carats of rough and polished diamonds, surpassing the 2012 all-time high of $56.5 billion.
Both exports and imports of rough diamonds rose significantly compared to 2013, AWDC reported. It said 114.5 million carats of rough diamonds were exported, valued at $15.7 billion, representing a volume increase of 7.5 percent and an increase in value of 7 percent.
Compared to 2013, imports rose 10 percent in terms of volume, representing an increase in value of 13 percent. In total, 99.9 million carats of rough diamonds were imported, for a total value of $14.9 billion.
Contrary to the rough trade figures, polished trade is clearly under increased pressure.
On average, in terms of volume, exports of polished goods fell by 5 percent.
At the same time, the total value of exported polished diamonds rose by 4 percent, indicating more high value goods were traded.
Total exports of polished diamonds amounted to 6.4 million carats, with a value of $14.4 billion.
An AWDC official, speaking on the sidelines of the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair (ADTF), said in a press briefing profit margins of diamond dealers were squeezed due to a combination of high rough prices and subdued polished prices.
