February import and export figures of the Antwerp diamond sector continue to indicate a high trade performance, AWDC reported. Following the excellent kick-off of the year in January, the positive trend continued last month with soaring trade as compared to February 2013.
The surge in the rough diamond trade figures of February exceeds that of January. The exported volume of rough diamonds rose by a whopping 46.23% and the imported volume increased by 34.96%, as compared to February 2013. This translates to a value boost of 29.34% en 17.70%, respectively.
A key driver of the rough diamond import volume increase is among others the second tender of Zimbabwean goods that took place in February in the Antwerp Diamond Tender Facility. As was the case in January, higher imports of rough diamonds from Botswana and Canada were also recorded. Imports of rough diamonds from Russia also rose. Exports of diamonds also follows the January-trend, with an overall increase to the usual consumer markets India, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. Finally exports of rough diamonds to Singapore also rose as compared to 2013.
Trade figures for polished diamonds indicate similar positive development in comparison with 2013. The volume of polished diamonds exported increased by 13.58%, yielding a value increase of 33.41%. And although the import volume figures declined by 0.90% this resulted in an 11.08% boost in value.
Exports of rough diamonds to Hong Kong rose due to the ‘Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show’, which took place in March and saw a strong presence of Antwerp, with 67 diamond companies participating.
As was the case in January, AWDC also observed an increase in the export of polished diamonds to EU countries Italy, France and the United Kingdom. Imports of polished diamonds also followed the highly positive trend from the beginning of the year, with a rise in polished diamonds imports especially from India and Israel.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
