WASHINGTON: U.S. polished diamond imports fell 4 percent year on year to $2.16 billion in October, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Polished imports by weight increased 3 percent to 1.074 million carats. Polished diamond exports, meanwhile, fell 13 percent to $1.33 billion, driving net imports up 17 percent to $833 million.
Rough diamond imports slumped 58 percent in October to $17 million, while rough exports fell 38 percent to $24 million, leaving net rough imports at negative $7 million compared with positive $1 million a year earlier. The net diamond account, reflecting the difference between net imports and exports, increased 16 percent to $826 million.
During the first 10 months of the year, polished diamond imports decreased 2 percent year on year to $19.85 billion and polished exports declined 12 percent to $15.69 billion, resulting in net imports increasing 76 percent to $4.15 billion.
