In February, Israel noted an overall dip in its diamond trade. Exports of polished diamonds slipped 81 percent (on y-o-y basis) to $137.5 million and that of rough diamonds also decreased, dipping by 50 percent to $187.3 million.

Total diamond imports (including rough diamond and polished diamonds), decreased 23 percent to $626.6 million, reports add.

The country’s net diamond account (valued as total rough and polished exports less total imports) stood in a deficit of $301.8 million (the same was in surplus of $281.7 million in February 2011).