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Antwerp's polished diamond trade usually drops in August

Antwerp's traders increased their polished diamond trade in November, a typical cyclical trend. Net exports doubled year-over-year to 49,984 carats worth $87.5 million, based on AWDC figures.

 

Belgium imported 587,524 carats worth $1.16 billion, declining 14.5% in volume and rising 28.4% in value compared to last year. Compared to October, the value of imports in November softened 1.8%.

 

Gross exports of 637,508 carats carried a value of $1.25 billion, down 10.4% in volume and up 31.8% in value when compared to November 2010. Month-over-month, the value of gross exports increased 13.3%.

 

Belgium's polished trade usually falls in August when many are away on vacation, and rises in September, November and December.

 

Net exports to the US were $131 million, with the average value of exports reaching an exceptionally high $28,812.39 p/c.

 

Net exports to Israel, the second leading destination, totaled $51.9 million averaging $1,565.44 p/c in November.