Production of rough diamonds from Botswana gathered a little momentum in January after three consecutive months of major slowdown, according to data from the Financial Statistics report for the month released by the Bank of Botswana.

The Bank reported that the value of rough diamonds produced within the country, classified a ‘Botswana Exports’ in the document, rose to US$ 222.5 million in January 2016 as compared to US$ 31.9 million in December 2015. Comparative figures for the two months before that were US$ 63.8 mn (October 2015) and US$ 18.4 mn (November 2015).

It must however, be noted that the January 2016 levels are probably still below the January 2015 figures. As per the report, the country produced US$ 985.5 mn in the first three months of last year, which yields average monthly production of nearly US$ 330 mn.

The publication reports production within the country under the head ‘Botswana Exports’ which are based on prices recorded when the diamonds are first sold. Total exports from the country are much higher as that figure includes diamonds mined in other countries and re-exported after sorting.