Diamond imports decreased in value for the month of September 2008, for Japan. The country imported $59.91 million worth of diamonds, which accounted for a 14.3 percent dip in value terms from September of last year. Although, in terms of volume imports increased in the said month by 5.1 percent, valuing at 186,253 carats.

As per the region-wise imports, India, which has been the largest exporter for Japan, increased its exports by 12.5 percent in volume to 142,739 carats at a value of $20.13 million, an average of $141 p/c. The exports indicate a 19.7 percent decrease in value terms over September 2007. Belgium exported a total of 17,083 carats, a 13percent increase in volume and 10.4 percent decrease in value to $14.47 million.

For the first nine months of 2008, Japans’ imports decreased by 10.3 percent in value to $596 million, but increased by 5.2 percent in volume terms to 1,766,810 carats.