Ever wonder which countries export the most gems? (excludes diamonds and unworked or synthetic precious stones). See the list, which also shows each exporter's percentage of global gems exports within parenthesis. In 2017, world gems exports were US$9.9 billion.
African Exporters
Africa exported $181.5 million worth of gems led by the following countries:
1. Mozambique: $97.6 million
2. Madagascar: $24 million
3. Tanzania: $23.6 million
4. Ethiopia: $13.8 million
5. South Africa: $8.5 million
6. Zambia: $3.5 million
7. Eritrea: $3.1 million
8. Kenya: $2.8 million
9. Zimbabwe: $1.1 million
10. Democratic Rep. Congo: $761,000
Asian Exporters
Asia exported $4.8 billion worth of gems led by the following countries:
1. Hong Kong: $2.2 billion
2. Thailand: $1.2 billion
3. India: $463.2 million
4. Myanmar (Burma): $360 million
5. Singapore: $336.1 million
6. Sri Lanka: $153.4 million
7. Afghanistan: $21.5 million
8. Malaysia: $16.8 million
9. South Korea: $16 million
10. Taiwan: $12.8 million
European Union (EU) Exporters
European Union exported $897.2 million worth of gems led by the following EU members:
1. Germany: $273.5 million
2. France: $220.1 million
3. United Kingdom: $213.1 million
4. Italy: $163 million
5. Belgium: $10.2 million
6. Austria: $6.7 million
7. Poland: $3.2 million
8. Czech Republic: $2.9 million
9. Spain: $2.2 million
10. Lithuania: $590,000
Latin American and Caribbean Exporters
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean exported $333.3 million worth of gems led by the following countries:
1. Brazil: $147.4 million
2. Colombia: $145 million
3. Uruguay: $16.2 million
4. British Virgin Islands: $11 million
5. Costa Rica: $7.2 million
6. Bolivia: $1.8 million
7. Argentina: $1.6 million
8. Peru: $1.2 million
9. Chile: $462,000
10. Barbados: $386,000
Middle Eastern Exporters
Middle East exported $501 million worth of gems led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $394.2 million
2. Israel: $87 million
3. Lebanon: $19.7 million
4. Yemen: $70,000
5. Iran: $47,000
6. Saudi Arabia: $1,000
7. Qatar: $1,000
North American Exporters
North America exported $2.2 billion worth of gems led by the following countries:
1. United States: $2.1 billion
2. Canada: $13.9 million
3. Mexico: $3.2 million
Oceanian Exporters
Oceania exported $53 million worth of gems led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $47.9 million
2. New Zealand: $5 million
3. French Polynesia: $59,000
4. New Caledonia: $8,000
5. Papua New Guinea: $3,000
The accompanying list identifies exporters with the fastest-growing international sales of gems from 2013 to 2017. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for this exported product category was 14.5%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Gems Exporters 2017
Fastest-Growing Gem Export Countries
