Figures released by the Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry show that net polished diamond exports during the first six months of the year declined 3% to $2.545 billion, compared with $2.625 billion in H1 2016.
Net rough exports totaled $1.369 billion during the period – a 1.7% drop year-on-year.
Net rough imports slid 5.9% to $1.529 billion, compared to $1.625 during the same period last year. Net polished imports fell 14.3% to $1.392 billion.
The US is still the primary market for gross polished exports with 45% of the market, followed by Hong Kong (28%), Switzerland (11%), Belgium (9%), the UK (2%) and other countries (5%).
Diamond Controller at the Ministry of Economy Shmuel Mordechai commented that the first six months of the year indicated a growing stability, compared with the first six months of 2016. The Las Vegas and Hong Kong shows also showed stabilization in the global diamond trade and signaled a moderate improvement in the industry.
