This list reveals the top 10 diamonds importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2017, world diamonds imports totaled US$129 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $2.3 billion worth of diamonds led by the following countries:
1. Botswana: $1.3 billion
2. South Africa: $515.1 million
3. Namibia: $415.6 million
4. Mauritius: $68 million
5. Morocco: $3.9 million
6. Tunisia: $1.5 million
7. Guinea: $1.1 million
8. Egypt: $914,000
9. Seychelles: $437,000
10. Democratic Rep. Congo: $162,000
Asian Importers
Asia imported $60.8 billion worth of diamonds led by the following countries:
1. India: $27.3 billion
2. Hong Kong: $20.6 billion
3. China: $8 billion
4. Thailand: $1.9 billion
5. Singapore: $1.4 billion
6. Japan: $794 million
7. Vietnam: $316.9 million
8. Armenia: $124.5 million
9. Sri Lanka: $98 million
10. Taiwan: $87.2 million
European Union Importers
European Union imported $18 billion worth of diamonds led by the following EU members:
1. Belgium: $13.7 billion
2. United Kingdom: $2.4 billion
3. France: $768.2 million
4. Italy: $690.2 million
5. Germany: $232.6 million
6. Spain: $46.8 million
7. Netherlands: $38 million
8. Austria: $23.9 million
9. Ireland: $23.2 million
10. Denmark: $12.2 million
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $108 million worth of diamonds led by the following countries:
1. British Virgin Islands: $36.2 million
2. Panama: $30.5 million
3. Dominican Republic: $12.7 million
4. Brazil: $12.6 million
5. Jamaica: $2.9 million
6. Costa Rica: $2.7 million
7. Honduras: $2.4 million
8. Peru: $1.3 million
9. Bolivia: $1.2 million
10. Bahamas: $1.1 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $21 billion worth of diamonds led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $14 billion
2. Israel: $6.7 billion
3. Lebanon: $166.1 million
4. Qatar: $24.2 million
5. Bahrain: $23.1 million
6. Saudi Arabia: $2.1 million
7. Jordan: $1.8 million
8. Iraq: $617,000
9. Kuwait: $459,000
10. Oman: $159,000
North American Importers
North America imported $23.7 billion worth of diamonds led by the following countries:
1. United States: $23.2 billion
2. Canada: $386.3 million
3. Mexico: $111 million
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $471.5 million worth of diamonds led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $438.4 million
2. New Zealand: $32.4 million
3. New Caledonia: $319,000
4. Kiribati: $239,000
5. French Polynesia: $152,000
6. Fiji: $26,000
7. Vanuatu: $5,000
8. Solomon Islands: $2,000
To see the 25 fastest-growing diamonds importers from 2013 to 2017, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage decline for globally imported diamonds was -7.4%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Diamond Importers 2017
Fastest-Growing Diamond Import Countries
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
