US Polished Imports Flat in First Quarter

RAPAPORT... Polished-diamond imports to the US rose 1% to $5.29 billionin the first quarter, according to government data. By volume, polished imports slid 7% to 2.3 million carats,while the average price of imports climbed 8% to $2,320 per carat. Polished exports, meanwhile, jumped 10% to $5.05 billion,causing net polished imports - the excess of imports over exports - to slide63% to $247 million. Rough exports grew 8% to $143 million, while rough importsdropped 6% to $194 million, meaning net rough imports slumped 30% to $50million. The US net diamond account - total rough and polishedimports minus total exports - plunged 59% to $298 million for the three months. In January, polished imports increased 3% to $1.81 billion,while in February, they rose 1% to $1.5 billion. Polished imports were flat inMarch at $1.98 billion. Image: Gemsparkdiamonds