Belgium’s polished trade grew strongly in October, according to data from the Antwerp World Diamond Centre. Exports rose 17% amid a higher average price and steady volumes, reflecting trading in higher-value diamonds. Export value was up for the first 10 months of the year, also boosted by an increase in the average price.
About the data: Belgium is usually a net exporter of polished diamonds. As such, net polished exports — representing polished exports minus polished imports — will normally be a positive number. The nation is also a net exporter of rough. While Antwerp is home to some high-value manufacturing, its main role in the market is as a facilitator of rough-diamond trading, with companies from around the world coming to the city to buy rough. The net diamond account is total rough and polished exports minus total imports. It is Belgium’s diamond trade balance, and shows the added value the nation creates by exporting rough or manufacturing it into polished.