Government data, quoted by Rough & Polished, shows that polished diamond imports to the US fell 3% to $1.99 billion in March. By volume, polished imports fell 10% to 970,953 carats. The average price of imports rose 8% to $2,045 per carat. The US net diamond account (its total rough and polished imports minus total exports) fell 33% to $389 million.
According to the report, India’s exports to the US fell 3% to $673.8 million. Belgium’s exports to the US dropped 1% to $281.5 million.
US polished exports grew 7% to $1.58 billion, “leaving net polished imports 28% lower at $402 million”. In addition, “rough exports increased 81% to $47 million, while rough imports fell 22% to $35 million, meaning net rough imports stood at negative $12 million versus positive $19 million a year earlier”.
