Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has recently released a diamond trading annual report which confirms its leading role in the global diamond trade while remaining a preferred partner for diamond trade worldwide.
According to the report, a total of 227.2 million carats of rough and polished diamonds were traded in 2014, with a total value of US$58.8 billion.
Both exports and imports of rough diamonds in 2014 rose significantly compared to 2013. A total of 114.5 million carats of rough diamonds were exported, valued at US$15.7 billion, equaling a volume increase of 7.5 percent and value increase of 7 percent comparing to 2013.
Over 99.9 million carats of rough diamonds were imported in 2014, for a total value of US$ 14.9 billion. Compared to 2013, imports rose 10 percent in terms of volume, amounting to an increase in value of 13 percent.
In terms of volume, exports of polished diamonds fell by 5 percent in 2014.While the total value of exported polished diamonds rose by 4 percent. Total exports of polished diamonds amounted to 6.4 million carats, with a value of US$ 14.4 billion.
The report also concluded that traders in diamond hubs worldwide are being confronted with narrowing profit margins. This evolution is largely due to strong rough prices, caused by a combination of natural scarcity and the main mining companies’ solid positions, whereas polished prices have not risen at the same pace. Diamond traders were forced to sell their goods at low prices, with average profit margins of 2 to 3 percent falling steeply.
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