Luanda, Oct. 31, 2025 (Lusa) - Angola produced 6.8 million carats of diamonds in the first half of this year and exported 8.18 million carats, valued at US$790.4 million (€680.2 million), down from the same period last year, the government said on Friday.
The secretary of state for Mineral Resources, Jânio Corrêa Victor, who presented the balance sheet for diamond production and sales in the first half of 2025, said that the volume exported increased by 108.9% compared to the first half of 2024, but the resulting value fell by 14% compared to the same period last year.
Production from January to September represents 72.3% of the production target of 14.8 million carats set for 2025.
According to the data, rough diamonds were traded at an average price per carat of US$96.7 (€83.2) and were mainly exported to the United Arab Emirates, Belgium and Hong Kong, with these three markets accounting for more than 90% of exports.
By September this year, diamond production had already reached 10.7 million carats, with the 6.8 million carats recorded up to June representing an increase of 23.2% compared to the same period in 2024.
According to Jânio Corrêa Victor, projections for this year's sales outlook point to an encouraging scenario, based mainly on the fact that global rough diamond production is expected to fall below 100 million carats, interrupting the growth trend observed over the last decade.
"Added to this is the maintenance of high stocks of cut diamonds, moderate consumption of diamond jewellery in the United States, influenced by economic uncertainty and the increase in import tariffs on Indian jewellery," said the Angolan minister.
Despite this "bleak international scenario," the secretary of state for Mineral Resources considered that the national diamond segment "continues to demonstrate solidity and reliability," constituting an essential pillar of the Angolan economy.
"We can proudly say that Angola is consolidating its position as an attractive source of gem-quality rough diamonds, which reinforces its strategic position in the international market," added the Angolan minister, emphasising Angola's goal of becoming the world's largest diamond producer.
Speaking to the press, the Angolan state diamond company, Endiama's Director of Mining Operations and Shareholding Management, Miguel Vemba, said that it is the production of the mining companies Catoca, Luele, Chitotolo and Cuango that has driven the targets set for this year.
During the period under review, Endiama recorded investments totalling US$216.2 million (just over €186 million), mainly for the Luele project, of which around 89% was allocated to production, with tax contributions amounting to US$171.4 million (€147.5 million).
Miguel Vemba stressed that currently 90% of Angolan production is already tracked, thanks to the Catoca, Luele and Somiluana mining projects, with a view to achieving 95% traceability by 2026, in order to obtain "the authentic Angolan diamond".
NME/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
