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Polished diamond trade via Antwerp has declined in April, uncharacteristically fallowing below one billion dollars. Belgium exported $942.8 million worth of polished in April, down 31.7% compared to March.
 
Year-over-year, exports declined 6.7%, according to figures released today Wednesday by the AWDC.
 
The volume of exports, 588,939 carats, declined 1.9% compared to March and 12.5% compared to April 2011.
 
In the past few weeks Antwerp's diamond traders voiced concerned about the quiet market, reporting lower than usual commercial activity. This trend is ongoing.
 
The average value of exports stood at $1,600.77 per carat, some 10% higher than the average value of imports in April.
 
Antwerp imported 640,304 carats worth $931.2 million, declining 4.2% by volume and 7.7% by value from the year before.
 
Month-over-month, the declines in imports are 19.8% and 28.6% respectively.
 
The bulk of Belgium's exports, nearly 70% of the total, were to the U.S., Hong Kong, Israel and Switzerland.
 
Two-thirds of Antwerp's imports were from the U.S., India, Hong Kong and Israel.