Botswana exported diamonds worth $464.1 million in May, the highest level of exports since August 2008, based on figures released by the country's central bank.



The May export figures, which include rough and polished diamonds, are an 81.9% increase from last year, and a 123.4% increase over April's exports.

In the first five months of 2011, Botswana exported $1.69 billion worth of diamonds, growing 35.3% year-over-year.



If Botswana will continue to export diamonds at the current monthly average of $338 million seen so far this year, it may for the first time reach annual diamond exports of more than $4 billion. Considering that in the second quarter of the year the country's exports are traditionally lower, the $4 billion record is within reach.



Botswana is the world's leading diamond producer by value.