February 2013 was a rather slow month for the Antwerp diamond industry. Compared to February 2012, the volume of exported polished diamonds decreased 10.63 percent in February 2013.

In value terms, this translates into a 9.25 percent drop. However, compared to January 2013, we see an increase in volume as well as value terms. The average price per carat also increased compared to last month, from 1,878 U.S. dollar in January 2013 to 2,127 U.S. dollar in February 2013.

When we take a look at the import figures of polished diamonds in February 2013, we see a 14.86 percent drop in volume terms and a 34.58 percent decrease in value terms. By comparing February 2013 with January 2013, we also see a drop in volume and value.

When we study the figures of exported rough diamonds in February 2013, we see a decrease of 17.65 percent in volume terms, which equals a 3.44 percent increase in value t erms, compared to February 2012. When we compare the figures with the figures of last month, we see a decrease in volume terms bet an increase in value terms. The import figures of rough diamond show a decrease of 12.77 percent in volume terms and an increase of 8.11 percent in value terms. Compared to January 2013, the figures are rather stable.

Caroline De Wolf, Antwerp World Diamond Centre: “February’s figures still show a slow start–‐up of 2013. The overall feel of the market however remains positive. Figures also teach us that the heist at Brussels Airport didn’t affect the trade in any way. The most important international markets keep doing well. The export from polished goods to the US and China also continue to rise this month. An ongoing trend is the rise of the average price, from both rough and polished diamonds.”