The trade performance of the diamond and diamond sector of Antwerp in July 2014 remained stable. Compared with July 2013, there was only a slight decrease in the volume of polished imports, said the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC).
During the reporting period, there was an increase in the Belgian trade in rough diamonds. Compared to July last year, the volume of exported rough increased by 1.22%, while exports jumped 16.37%.
Imports of rough diamonds for July showed an increase in volume by 7.72% and in value terms - by 19.84%, which is due to the strengthening of prices for rough diamonds.
According to AWDC, diamond trade figures for July were also encouraging. The volume of exports of diamond products increased by 8.51% compared with the same month last year. Diamonds were mainly supplied to Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. In terms of value, exports increased by 4.47% compared with July 2013.
The volume of polished imports to Belgium declined by 5.24% on a year-on-year basis, and by value, imports increased by 9.21%, thus increasing the average cost of imported polished stones. The largest suppliers of diamonds in Antwerp are India, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
During the first seven months of 2014, there was a slight decrease in the volume of trade in diamonds with the growth of other trading indicators in the year-on-year terms.