This list reveals the top 10 pearls importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2017, world pearls imports totaled US$4.7 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $1.1 million worth of pearls led by the following countries:
1. Nigeria: $353,000
2. South Africa: $230,000
3. Mauritius: $205,000
4. Senegal: $88,000
5. Morocco: $83,000
6. Zimbabwe: $52,000
7. Algeria: $14,000
8. Togo: $11,000
9. Cameroon: $8,000
10. Niger: $8,000
Asian Importers
Asia imported $4 billion worth of pearls led by the following countries:
1. India: $3.2 billion
2. Japan: $360.6 million
3. Hong Kong: $260.6 million
4. China: $66 million
5. Thailand: $46.9 million
6. South Korea: $2.3 million
7. Singapore: $1.8 million
8. Taiwan: $963,000
9. Malaysia: $872,000
10. Vietnam: $708,000
European Union (EU) Importers
European Union imported $63.8 million worth of pearls led by the following EU members:
1. Italy: $21 million
2. Germany: $12.5 million
3. United Kingdom: $10.4 million
4. France: $8.5 million
5. Belgium: $3.1 million
6. Spain: $2.7 million
7. Austria: $1.7 million
8. Netherlands: $937,000
9. Denmark: $671,000
10. Sweden: $484,000
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $1.1 million worth of pearls led by the following countries:
1. Cayman Islands: $387,000
2. Brazil: $213,000
3. Bahamas: $72,000
4. Colombia: $59,000
5. Bolivia: $57,000
6. Chile: $45,000
7. Honduras: $39,000
8. Ecuador: $38,000
9. Uruguay: $38,000
10. Peru: $37,000
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $407.8 million worth of pearls led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $405.4 million
2. Israel: $906,000
3. Bahrain: $757,000
4. Lebanon: $474,000
5. Qatar: $161,000
6. Iraq: $71,000
7. Kuwait: $26,000
8. Iran: $4,000
9. Jordan: $1,000
10. Saudi Arabia: $1,000
North American Importers
North America imported $132.5 million worth of pearls led by the following countries:
1. United States: $126.9 million
2. Canada: $5.1 million
3. Mexico: $481,000
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $74.9 million worth of pearls led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $74.1 million
2. New Zealand: $675,000
3. Fiji: $61,000
4. Tonga: $15,000
5. Papua New Guinea: $3,000
6. French Polynesia: $1,000
7. New Caledonia: $1,000
To see the 25 fastest-growing pearls importers from 2013 to 2017, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for globally imported pearls was 107.5%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Pearls Importers 2017
Fastest-Growing Pearls 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.
