Botswana exported $4.64 billion worth of diamonds in 2012, a 19.5% increase over 2011. The figures include Botswana's rough diamond production, polished diamond manufacturing and goods De Beers brought into the country for sorting.



Botswana's gross rough diamond exports increased 20.7% to $3.92 billion in 2012, based on figures just published by Botswana's Central Statistics Office.



In September 2012, the DTC moved its rough diamond sorting operations from London to Botswana and started shipping its global production to the new center, boosting Botswana's import and export figures.



Gross rough imports nearly tripled, rising to $2.07 billion. Net rough diamond exports therefore totaled $1.86 billion in 2012. Polished diamond exports increased 11% to $692.6 million.



The CSO figures are inconsistent with the figures published by the Bank of Botswana, but are considered more accurate.