Gaborone: De Beers said its rough diamond sales for the tenth and final cycle of 2023 showed a sharp decline from the previous year. According to the company, the provisional sales value for the period between 9th November and 19th December was $130 million. This is a 69% drop from the $417 million recorded in the same cycle of 2022, and a 51% increase from the $86 million reported in the ninth cycle of 2023.

De Beers CEO Mr. Al Cook attributed the low sales to the company’s strategy of reducing its rough diamond supply to match the weak demand in the market. He said, “In the final sales cycle of 2023, De Beers continued to offer lower levels of rough diamond supply, in line with current demand. As the end-of-year holiday season progresses, we are seeing signs that the diamond industry is regaining its balance between wholesale supply and demand. Polished diamond prices look to have stabilised as inventory levels have decreased, though we expect improvements in rough diamond trading conditions to be gradual.”