The diamond industry’s Kimberley Process yesterday published production figures for the first time as part of a transparency initiative to counter the conflict diamond trade, AFP reported.
The industry produced 11.5 billion dollars (8.6 billion euros) worth of rough diamonds in 2005, the last year for which data is available under the Kimberley certification scheme, according to the report.
With a 25% market share in terms of value, Botswana was the leading producer, followed by Russia with 22%, Canada with 12%, South Africa with 11% and Angola with 9%.
But in terms of volume measured by carats, Russia was the biggest producer, ahead of Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) both with 19%, followed by Botswana with 18% and South Africa with 9%, it said.
The European Union was the biggest destination for rough diamond imports, taking in 39% of the total in value terms. The EU was followed by India as the second biggest rough diamond importer with 24% of the total, followed by Israel with 16%.
The European Commission, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Kimberley process, said that figures for 2006 would be published later this year.
"The publication of diamond trade data shows the growing strength of the Kimberley Process and its commitment to constant improvement," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told Agence France-Presse.
"While there was not consensus on this degree of transparency when the scheme began, all participants now agree to the new level of openness," she added.
