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RAPAPORT… Global rough-diamond production fell 7% to $13.48 billion last year, reflecting lower output in Botswana and Canada, according to new data from the Kimberley Process (KP). Production volume slipped 12% to 130.3 million carats, while the average price increased 6% to $103.41 per carat.
Russia ranked as the top producer, bucking the negative trend with an increase of 3% to $4.12 billion and 5% by volume to 45.3 million carats. Botswana, Canada, Angola and Namibia rounded out the top five producer countries by value, with all but Angola registering a decline in output for the year.
Meanwhile, total rough imports slid 23% to $37.25 billion for 2019, with volume down 12% to 377 million carats, the figures showed. Rough exports fell 27% to $36.64 billion, while volume declined 13% to 371.4 million carats.
China’s rough imports showed the largest decrease, falling 36% to $1.5 billion. India, the largest market for rough imports, slipped 18% to $14.08 billion, while those to the European Union, which mainly comprises the Belgian trade, fell 29% to $8.7 billion. All markets also saw a decline in rough exports.
Top 10 Rough Producers in 2019
| Country | Value ($M) | Volume (’000 carats) | Average price ($/ct.) |
| Russia | $4,117 | 45,271 | $91 |
| Botswana | $3,435 | 23,687 | $145 |
| Canada | $1,697 | 18,638 | $91 |
| Angola | $1,266 | 9,150 | $138 |
| Namibia | $1,010 | 2,018 | $500 |
| South Africa | $873 | 7,181 | $122 |
| Lesotho | $290 | 1,114 | $261 |
| Sierra Leone | $168 | 812 | $207 |
| Australia | $159 | 12,999 | $12 |
| Zimbabwe | $141 | 2,108 | $67 |
Top Five Rough Importers in 2019
| Value ($M) | Volume (’000 carats) | Average price ($/ct.) | |
| India | $14,085 | 158,627 | $89 |
| European Union | $8,697 | 101,181 | $86 |
| United Arab Emirates | $5,999 | 76,521 | $78 |
| Israel | $2,202 | 9,334 | $236 |
| China | $1,502 | 10,717 | $140 |
Top Five Rough Exporters in 2019
| Value ($M) | Volume (’000 carats) | Average price ($/ct.) | |
| European Union | $9,197 | 105,567 | $87 |
| United Arab Emirates | $7,682 | 79,174 | $97 |
| Botswana | $3,527 | 28,551 | $124 |
| Russia | $3,504 | 39,211 | $89 |
| Israel | $1,903 | 6,369 | $299 |
Source: Kimberley Process
Image: An Alrosa diamond-sorting center in Mirny, Russia. (Alrosa)
