Mumbai: Gold imports are estimated to be 95 tonne during September, mainly on account of decline in international prices and due to the ongoing festive season, according to an industry expert.

“The import of the yellow metal is estimated to be around 95 tonnes during this September. The imports rose mainly due to decline in price in the global markets, which reduced year-on-year by nearly 10-15 per cent. The September imports is a very normal phenomenon as jewellers require stocks to manufacture for the festive season,” All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation Director Bachhraj Bamalwa said.

In September 2013, gold imports stood at around 15-20 tonne, he said.

“There were hardly any imports during September last year due to several restrictions by the government in order to control Current Account Deficit (CAD). That caused a severe stock crunch for the festivals last year,” he said.

According to government data, gold imports were at USD 3.75 billion in September this year compared to USD 682.5 million in the same month last year.

Bamalwa said the September imports have increased the availability of stocks in the market and this has helped in reducing smuggling.

“The smuggling has gone down to a great extent due to the availability of gold,” he said. Going forward, he said, the last quarter is the most important period for gold imports.

“The jewellers have already manufactured jewelleries of the gold imported during September for the festivals. The money from the sales of these jewelleries will make them buy more gold. So most of the purchase will take place in October and November, which will decline in December. So together in October and November we are expecting gold import of around 150 tonne,” he explained.

However, collectively in the last quarter imports are expected to be 170-200 tonne, he said. In the October-December period imports stood at only 50-60 tonne, he said.