A report by Anglo American quoted by Rough & Polished states that De Beers’ total rough diamond output rose 29% year-on-year to total to about 32.3 million carats in 2021. In Q4, rough production rose 15% year-on-year to 7.7 million carats.
In addition, rough diamond sales amounted to 7.7 million carats from three sights in the fourth quarter, compared with 6.9 million carats from two sights in 2020. Price per carat rose 10% year-on-year to $146, “primarily as a result of positive market sentiment which gave rise to a strengthening of the rough price index.”
According to De Beers’ parent company, “demand for rough diamonds remained robust, with positive midstream sentiment and strong demand for diamond jewellery continuing over the holiday period, particularly in the key US consumer market.”
