Robust Demand Drives Alrosa Sales Jump

RAPAPORT... Alrosa's sales grew 28% year on year to $405.3 million inApril amid strong demand for goods and an optimistic market, the miner said. "In January to April, world markets saw consistent high demandfor rough diamonds," Yury Okoemov, deputy CEO of Alrosa, noted last week. Diamond trading slowed in April in line with seasonaltrends, Okoemov explained. However, demand and sales were robust, supported by positivemarket sentiment and reports from retailers of strong sales, the executiveadded. Alrosa's rough sales jumped 28% to $396.2 million for themonth, while polished revenue rose 20% to $9.1 million. During the four months to April 30, sales increased 18% to$2.01 billion, including $1.98 billion of rough sales and $32.9 million from polished. Alrosa's May contract sale will begin on Monday, aswill De Beers' fourth sight of the year. Those sales coincide with the AntwerpRough Diamond Days, a trading event taking place in the AntwerpscheDiamantkring. Image: Alrosa