Rough diamond exports from Antwerp rose by a significant 30.05% in January 2017, though polished diamond exports dropped by 18.11% during the month as compared to a year earlier, according to figures released by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). During the month, Antwerp exported nearly 10.3 million carats of rough at a value of US$ 1.03 billion, a major rise of 30.05% in terms of volumes, and a 17.85% increase in value terms. The centre also reported a large rise in rough imports – with 7.7 mn carats of rough being imported at US$ 955 million, a rise of 35.90% in volume terms, and an equally sharp rise of 30.69% in value terms. Trade in polished however was sluggish. In January 2017, the centre exported 290,927 cts of polished at a value of US$ 632.04 mn, a fall of 26.88% in volume terms, but a decline of 18.11% in value terms year-on-year. During this period, the centre imported 504,585 cts of polished at a value of US$ 881.95 mn, with volume dropping by 6.91%, and value declining by 10.46% as compared to January 2016.