De Beers plans to increase its rough diamond production by 15% to a total of 38 million carats in 2011 – welcome news for India's diamond industry, which is suffering from a lack of rough in the face of rising demand.

In 2010, De Beer's diamond output stood at 33 million carats, just behind Russia's Alrosa, and in 2009 – the height of the global financial crisis – the company produced 24.6 million carats.

Chairman of India's Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) Rajiv Jain told the Business Standard that higher output was "good news for the Indian market," since a greater flow of rough diamonds would keep prices in check. "Higher output this year may bring some time-bound relief for consumers," Jain added.

In 2010, the De Beers Group saw diamond sales increase 53% over 2009 to reach a total of $5.88 billion. Rough diamond sales by De Beers' Diamond Trading Company stood at $5.08 billion, compared to $3.23 billion in 2009.