Israel March Polished Exports Up 13.4% Over 2007
April 02, 08 by Ronit Scheyer
Israel exported a total of $597 million worth of polished goods (net) in March, a 13.4 percent increase over $526 million in March 2007, not including returns. Year-to-date, polished exports totaled $2.157 billion, a 14.1 percent rise over the previous year period, according to figures released by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor.
A total of $453 million worth of polished was imported by Israel in March, a 35.9 percent rise over 2007.
According to Diamond Controller Shmuel Mordechai, the rise in exports during the month of March was mainly due to preparations for the upcoming Basel show.
The U.S. continues to be the main export destination for gross polished goods from Israel, making up 48 percent of total exports since the beginning of the year. Hong Kong follows at 26 percent, Switzerland, 9 percent, Belgium, 8 percent, the UK, 2 percent and other countries at 7 percent.
Net rough exports for the month came to $315 million, a 5.9 percent rise over $298 million in 2007, while rough imports totaled $444 million, over $446 million in the previous year – a 0.4 percent decline.
