Israeli Diamond, Gemstone and Jewelry Administration at the Ministry of Economy announced today the total diamond exports for the first half of 2015 with cautious optimism, as the international diamond industry continues to experience an ongoing crisis.
The diamond market in Western countries, particularly the United States, has shown a modest revival during recent months. At the same time, the status of the United States as a destination for Israel’s diamond exports has also been strengthened, with its share increasing from 39% in recent years to 44% during the first half of this year.
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As such, the United States continues to serve as Israel’s main market for exporting polished diamonds, comprising 43.9% since the beginning of the year.
Second place is held by Hong Kong 30.7%, Switzerland 10.1%, Belgium 6.5%, England 2.4%, and other countries 6.4%.
Total (net) diamond exports from Israel during the first half of 2015 totaled $4.335 billion. While polished diamond exports from Israel totaled $2.975 billion.
This is as compared to $3.576 billion during the first half of last year. There has been a drop of 16.8% in net polished diamonds exports as compared to the parallel period last year.
Net rough diamonds exports totaled $1.361 billion, as compared to $1.745 billion during the first half of 2014 – a drop of 22%.
Net rough diamonds imports totaled $1.623 billion, as compared to $2.054 billion during the parallel period last year, a drop of 21%.
Net polished diamonds imports totaled $1.793 billion, as compared to $2.161 billion during the parallel period last year, a drop of 17%.