|
RAPAPORT... U.S. polished diamond imports fell 3.2 percent year on year to $1.827 billion in January. The average price dropped 7 percent to $1,727 per carat, which was the lowest level since September 2013. Polished diamond exports rose 3.3 percent to $1,379 billion, leaving net imports down 19 percent to $447 million. Rough diamond trading was greatly diminished during January. Rough imports fell 73.6 percent year on year to $14 million and rough exports were off by 78.9 percent at $12 million, leaving net imports of just $2 million compared with a $4 million deficit one year ago. The net diamond account in January, which revealed the difference between net imports and net exports, fell 18.1 percent to $449 million.
|