Rough Trade Back to Lower Levels in Antwerp

(IDEX Online News) – Belgium's diamond buyers imported and exported less rough diamonds in November then they did in October, based on data published by the AWDC.

In November, Belgium imported 7.9 million carats of rough diamonds worth $1.1 billion, an 18.9 percent decrease by volume and 5.3 percent by value compared to October.

Providing some positive news, year-over-year imports increased 8.2 percent by volume and 10.2 percent by value.

It seems that Antwerp is stocking up on rough, maybe against its will. Exports of 7.2 million carats worth $1.04 billion dropped 15.9 percent by volume and 28.2 percent by value compared to October.

Compared to November 2011, exports fell 14.7 percent and 10.8 percent respectively.

The main reason for the month-over-month decline lies with the large volume of goods that passed through the center in September and October. However, the fact remains that in the past year fewer goods are traded through Antwerp, as the global economic environment is very cautious.

In the first 11 months of 2012, imports declined 10.2 percent to $11.32 billion and exports declined 8.3 percent to $12.12 billion.

Source: Based on AWDC figures