DMCC has revealed Dubai’s diamond trade figures for 2023, showcasing a 2%year-on-year growth in the value of rough and polished diamonds traded, reaching a total of $38.3 billion. This marks a noteworthy compound annual growth rate of 11% over the past five years.
Reflecting the UAE’s prominent position as one of the leading global diamond trading centres, the value of polished diamonds traded in the UAE surged by 32% year-on-year, reaching $16.9 billion in 2023.
Historically focused on rough diamonds, Dubai emerged as the world’s largest rough diamond trade hub in 2021. However, the rapid expansion of the UAE’s polished segment now constitutes 44% of the total trade value. This momentum is expected to continue into 2024, with the Gemological Institute of America, a renowned authority in diamond grading, inaugurating a pivotal laboratory in Dubai in February.
A total of $21.3 billion-worth of rough diamonds were traded in the UAE in 2023. Despite the global price of rough diamonds decreasing approximately 20% in 2023, the UAE’s rough diamond trade only decreased 13% year-on-year by value whilst maintaining strong trading volumes.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: “At $38.3 billion in rough and polished trade last year, these figures are further proof of Dubai’s meteoric rise as a global diamond trade hub. Our appeal to diamond industry segments across the world is exemplified by our ability to maintain strong trade volumes in rough whilst rapidly advancing polished and lab-grown diamonds. The polished segment now represents almost half of our diamond trade, consolidating our status as the world’s number one hub for rough and polished and, with major industry players continuing to be drawn to Dubai away from the old hubs of yesterday, DMCC will continue to set the benchmark for the services and value that diamond traders need to grow and prosper.”
Dubai has also bolstered the support it provides for traders of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) as it looks to replicate the success it has seen in the natural diamond industry. The value of LGDs traded in 2023 rose 10% year-on-year, reaching a total of $1.6 billion.
In recent years, the UAE has become one of the key drivers of trade growth and sector development for the global diamond industry. Representing the UAE, Ahmed Bin Sulayem assumed the role of Chair of the Kimberley Process for 2024 late last year, focusing on a ‘year of delivery’ to ensure the KP operates efficiently and autonomously. This is his second term as Chair of the KP following his chairmanship in 2016.
The entire diamond industry will descend on Dubai from November 11-15 for the Dubai Diamond Week, with the KP Plenary Session, the JGT Dubai trade show, and DMCC’s flagship Dubai Diamond Conference taking place on November 11 to chart the future growth of the industry.