Russian diamond exports in the first half of 2013 were almost 20 percent higher on the year-earlier period, the Finance Ministry reported.



The country sold 18.31 million carats of rough diamonds in the January-June period with a value of $2.32 billion, 18.6 percent higher than the same period of 2012.



Belgium, India, the United Arab Emirates and Israel were the main export markets, with Belgium alone buying 11.9 million carats with a value of $1.49 billion.



Alrosa, which produces around 97 percent of Russia’s diamonds, reported output of 34.4 million carats of rough diamonds in 2012, and sold rough and polished goods worth $4.61 billion, the ministry added.