Botswana’s polished and rough diamond exports added 36% in April, coming to $233.6 million, compared to $171.2 million in April 2009.

According to Diamonds Net, Botswana’s first-quarter diamond exports grew by 101% year-on-year to $476.9 million.

The country's diamond exports in 2009 were seriously affected by the global recession, dropping 31% to $2.18 billion. Diamond imports, both rough and polished, fell 17% to $451 million in 2009.

Botswana is the largest producer of rough diamonds by value in the world. Its total rough production is currently mined by Debswana, a joint venture between De Beers and the government of Botswana.