Antwerp diamond sector trade figures remain positive
ANTWERP, July 11, 2014 – June trade figures of the Antwerp diamond sector are positive, both in terms of import and export of rough diamonds.
As concerns trade in polished diamonds, Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) notes that less but more expensive goods were traded last month, in comparison with June 2013.
The rough diamond trade figures in June follow the positive trend of the last months. Both import and export figures continue to be strong.
As compared to June of last year, the volume of exported diamonds rose by 27.39%, while imports grew by 21.31%.
This translates to a 4.96% and 19.99% increase in value, respectively. Overall we can see a 20% boost in the goods being traded in June 2014 as compared to June 2013.
Looking at the figures for the import of polished diamonds, AWDC notes an increase of 4.97% in value and a decrease of 10.38% in terms of volume.
This points to the fact that fewer but more expensive stones were brought onto the market.
Most of these more valuable stones came from Hong Kong, India and Israel. We see the opposite trend for stones coming in from the US; the volume of stones was higher while the value was lower.
The volume jump was the result of the JCK fair in Vegas, which facilitated peak trade activity within the US.
Finally, on the import side, a rise in polished diamonds from Russia was also apparent, demonstrating that Antwerp purchased more goods on the Russian market this June as compared to the same month last year.
As regards exports of polished diamonds, the value figures were steady, with a decline in traded volume.
Also here AWDC notes trade in more expensive stones, which left for Hong Kong and Israel.
As with the import figures, AWDC sees the opposite phenomenon when it comes to the US, to which fewer and less expensive stones were exported.
The notable surge in exports of polished diamonds to India and China is a consequence of the significant decline of exports to both countries in June of last year.
Currently, AWDC sees a resurgence of goods heading to these markets.
