Belgium’s Sizzling Rough Diamond Trade Reflects Active Market

Belgium’s rough diamond trade totaled $1.69 billion in February. Gross rough diamond exports leaped 162.2 percent to $904 million, delivering 10.79 million carats of industrial and gem-quality diamonds.

The country’s rough diamond imports totaled $781.69 million on imports of 10.5 million carats, rising 182 percent and 150.2 percent respectively compared to February 2009, according to figures published by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).

Net trade in February totaled $122.3 million, an 81 percent year-over-year increase.

The global rough diamond market was very active in February, with the major producers offering large quantities of goods, often at higher prices. The market did not turn down the goods, trading them actively in the secondary market at single-digit premiums.