The import and export of rough and polished diamonds from Antwerp were lower in June compared to compared to June 2008. According to the website of the Israeli Diamond Industry the rate of the slowdown was lower than the decline during the first half of the year. This was made public by the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC).
659,320 carats of polished diamonds estimated to cost US$755.47 million were exported in June according to the AWDC diamond office. This is 7% reduction in the total carat weight and 35% reduction in the value compared to June last year.
The average price per carat was US$1,635 in June last year but fell to US$1,145 in June 2009, a substantial fall. The average price per carat was only US$5 higher in June 2009 compared to the average price per carat in the first six months of 2009. However the average price per carat was US$236 higher in June 2008 compared to the average price per carat in the first six months of 2008.
In the United States and in Hong Kong there was a 39% reduction in the value of polished diamond imports from Belgium in June.
The value of diamond exports to India from Antwerp fell by 10% in June.
The imports of rough diamonds totalled 7.8 million carats worth US$657.90 million. That is a 17% reduction in the total carat weight and 38% reduction in value compared to June 2008.
