FOCUS 16 | JNA Jan/Feb 2022 The diamond trade, which was hampered by supply shortages due to mine and factory closures at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as logistical and operational issues stemming from lockdown-related disruptions, is getting back on track, according to industry stakeholders. By the third quarter of 2021, key diamond centres had reached, if not surpassed, pre-pandemic levels, thanks largely to pent-up demand unleashed by the resumption of economic activity in most markets around the world. Attesting to the rise in global demand for diamonds, net polished imports through China’s Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) came up to US$2.75 billion from January to November 2021, already exceeding the record US$2.74 billion recorded in 2018. This represented a 123.2 per cent increase over the same period in 2020 and a 59.6 per cent hike from 2019. Total diamond transactions at SDE during the said period hit US$6.66 billion, up 102.8 per cent from 2020 and 69.9 per cent from 2019. Fresh markets In the first nine months of 2021, Israel’s polished diamond exports amounted to US$2.57 billion, a 49 per cent increase over the same period in 2020, data from the country’s Ministry of Economy and Industry showed. Net diamond imports of rough diamonds registered a 137 per cent year-on-year increase to US$1.47 billion during the period in question. Meanwhile, net rough diamond exports reached US$1.34 billion, a 160 per cent increase year on year. 钻石行业的绚丽未来 Bright prospects for diamonds Diamond manufacturing centres are seeing a substantial surge in global demand for diamonds, on the back of pent-up luxury spend, controlled production, digital initiatives and modern narratives. 对于大部分生产商和钻石生产中心而言，全球各地的钻石需求正在上升， 究其原因，是此前被压抑的奢侈品消费需求得以释放丶产量控制丶 数码化举措和品牌采取现代敍事手法进行推广所致。 | Olivia Quiniquini 程爱莉 |
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