Belgium's April polished diamond exports grew 23 percent year on year to $1.157 billion in April, according to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). By volume, polished exports fell 9 percent to 533,128.25 carats as the average price of the goods grew 36 percent to $2,170.60 per carat.

Belgium's polished imports rose 8 percent to $1.009 billion. Net polished exports, representing the excess of exports over imports, rose to $147 million during the month, compared with $11.5 million one year ago.

Rough imports increased 38 percent to $1.422 billion and rough exports grew 28 percent to $1.528 billion. Belgium's net rough imports, representing rough imports less exports, held to a deficit of $105 million compared with a deficit of $167 million in April 2012.

Belgium's net diamond account for April, reflecting total rough and polished exports less total imports, rose 42 percent to $253 million.

For the first four months of the year, Belgium's polished exports were flat at $4.506 billion and polished imports fell 9 percent to $4.227 billion. The country's net polished exports rose to $278.66 million during the period compared with a deficit of $129.17 million the previous year.

Rough imports rose by 8 percent to $4.877 billion and exports rose 6 percent to $5.111 billion, leaving net imports in a deficit of $234 million. Belgium's net diamond account for the first four months tripled to $512.79 million.