Israel's rough diamond exports rose 21.9 percent in the first two months of 2021, compared to January-February 2020, according to a report issued by the state's Ministry of Economy and Industry on Wednesday. This is a sharp change in trend, which began in December 2020, after Israel's rough diamond exports fell last year due to the coronavirus crisis. Since the beginning of 2021, Israel's rough diamond exports have totaled 231.9 million U.S. dollars, compared to 190.3 million dollars in January-February 2020, the report said. The ministry explained the change in increased demands for inlaid jewelry in China and the U.S., and in exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the normalization agreement signed between Israel and the UAE in September 2020. Rough diamond exports to the UAE in Feb. accounted for about 16 percent of Israel's total rough diamond exports.
Imports of rough diamonds to Israel increased by 33 percent in January-February this year to 269.5 million dollars, compared to 202.6 million dollars in those months in 2020. The report also shows that Israel's polished diamond exports decreased by 1.9 percent in January-February this year, from 598.6 million dollars to 587.1 million dollars. Polished diamond imports to Israel fell by 19.1 percent, from 462.7 million dollars to 374.1 million dollars.