Shipments into the center rose 10% to $5.17 billion in the
first three months, according to data from the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong,
China. By volume, imports grew 6% to 5.3 million carats, while the average
price increased 3% to $982 per carat.
Polished imports from India, its biggest supplier of
diamonds, increased 4% to $2.36 billion, while Belgium, in second place, spiked
27% to $504.4 million, overtaking the US, which rose 2% to $493 million.
Shipments from Israel dropped 7% to $434.3 million.
Hong Kong’s polished exports grew 4% to $3.53 billion
for the quarter, meaning net polished imports — the total
of imports minus exports — leaped 25% to $1.64 billion. Polished exports to mainland
China climbed 11% to $808.1 million.
Rough imports soared 61% to $539.1 million, with rough
exports up 85% to $907.6 million, the data showed. Net rough imports stood at
negative $368.5 million, compared with negative $155.1 million a year ago, as outbound
shipments exceeded inbound trade.
Hong Kong’s net diamond account, reflecting total rough and
polished imports minus total exports, went up 10% to $1.27 billion.
Image: Mk2010