Interpreting export import numbers for rough and cut and polished diamonds - what they say about demand and supply in the market

These are the provisional export and import figures received from the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) for the month June 2009.

Import of rough diamonds

India imported rough diamonds worth Rs 4224 crores in June 2009 as compared to Rs 7483 crores last year in June, declining by nearly 44 percent.

This clearly corroborates what we have known all along, i.e. fewer manufacturers are buying rough and production of fresh goods has taken a hit which has resulted in a shortage of diamonds in the market. Also inventory levels for rough has come down drastically and manufacturers have almost exhausted their old stocks.

Import of cut and polished diamonds

Cut & Polished Diamonds worth Rs 3068 crores were imported in June 2009, as compared to Rs 2909 crores in June 2008, thus showing a growth of 5.44 percent.

This is surprising. If we combine this with the rough import numbers then it only means one thing; that thanks to the shortage of domestic goods, people have stepped up imports to meet the domestic requirements. Imports are usually expensive but in the current scenario where rough is very expensive, they are probably a better option.

Export of cut and polished diamonds

Total export of cut and polished diamonds stood at Rs 5061 crores in June 2009, while in June 2008 it was Rs 5248 crores. Cut and Polished diamonds exports declined by almost 4 percent.
We all know that the overseas markets are reeling and that is what explains the drop in cut and polished exports.

This is what the market watchers at TradersDiamonds feel about these export import numbers. What is your take on them?

Numbers courtesy GJEPC website Sphere: Related Content