Global rough diamond production rose 39 percent by value in 2010 to $12 billion, according to Kimberley Process statistics released today. The figure was still below the peak year of 2008 when production totaled $12.73 billion. In terms of volume, rough diamond production rose nearly 7 percent to 133.12 million carats. The average price per carat produced rose 30 percent to $90.13.

Botswana was the world's top producing country by value in 2010 at $2.59 billion for 22 million carats, but Russia was the top producer by volume at 34.86 million carats valued at $2.38 billion. Russia held the top spot for both categories in 2009.

Other top diamond producers by volume in 2010 included the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 20.17 million carats, South Africa with 13.67 million carats, Canada reported 11.8 million carats, Zimbabwe mined 8.44 million carats and Angola produced 8.36 million carats.

Canada ranked third in terms of value for rough diamonds produced in 2010 at $2.3 billion followed by South Africa with $1.8 billion. Other top countries by value included Angola with $976.3 million, Namibia at $744 million, Zimbabwe at $339.8 million and Australia with $251.7 million.

The total rough exports by all Kimberley Process member states jumped 51 percent to $37.6 billion while rough imports also rose 51 percent to $37.78 billion.

The European Union was the world's top rough exporter in 2010 with rough diamonds valued at $14.3 billion leaving the region; Israel came in second place with $3.74 billion in rough exports; Dubai was third place with $3.54 billion followed by Botswana at $2.88 billion, Russia at $2.78 billion and Canada at $2.41 billion.

Europe was also the top rough importer in 2010 with $13.59 billion worth of goods followed by India at $11.23 billion, Israel with $4.43 billion, Dubai with $2.06 billion and China with $2.02 billion.

There was little surprise, considering the high-value stones coming out of Lesotho that they produced the highest per-carat value of any country, by far, at $1,816.63 in 2010.