The month of January saw a rise (on y-o-y basis) in the polished and rough diamond trade in Antwerp, indicating a strong beginning to the year. The volume of rough diamond exports rose 22.33 percent, while imports increased 12.51 percent in volume terms, over January 2013. The value of rough diamond exports rose 27.74 percent, while imports rose 21.03 percent.

Antwerp’s rough diamond imports saw a boost with an increase noted in imports from Botswana and Canada and the recent Jagersfontein and Rooiport tenders held in the Antwerp Diamond Tender Facility. Antwerp is currently hosting the second Zimbabwe tender of approximately 1 million carats of rough diamonds. Rough diamond exports rose across all major markets - India, the United ArabEmirates and Hong Kong.

Polished diamond exports rose in volume by 6.59 percent and in value by 9.69 percent in January 2014 on y-o-y basis. Imports rose 9.18 percent in volume and 13.79 percent in value. Polished diamond imports saw a boost from centres like United States, India and Israel. Polished diamond exports saw a dip to the US markets, but an increase to Israel, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, EU countries Italy, France and the United Kingdom.