Page 28 - Bullion World Volume 3 Issue 2 February 2023

Bullion World | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | February 2023

CPD Exports Cautious after Strong

FY22 Show, Margin dip Imminent:

Mr Ujjwal Patel, Associate Director, CARE Ratings Limited

While overall exports of CPD declined by just 8% at USD 16.6 billion
during 9MFY23 (9MFY22: USD 18.0 billion) in value terms, CPD exports
volume declined by 24% to 183.30 lakh carats during 9MFY23 (9MFY22:
241.07 lakh carats) reflecting the absence of Alrosa’s smaller goods and a
dip in the consumer demand from China, which consumes smaller-sized
diamonds below 0.30-carat as compared to the US, which consumes
larger sizes/ higher-value stones.

Demand for natural diamonds by China and Japan, which
crossed pre-COVID-19 levels in accounted for about 11% and 5%,
CY21 respectively, in CY21.
The demand for global natural
diamond jewellery as well as global Midstream segment mirrors
polished diamonds witnessed a industry performance Mr Ujjwal Patel
robust recovery at USD 87 billion With a global share of more
and USD 28 billion, respectively, in than 90% in the processing of Impact of war and macro-
CY21, crossing the pre-pandemic rough diamonds, the midstream economic environment on CPD
levels of CY19 by around 10%. segment, dominated by Indian exports
The year-on-year (y-o-y) growth entities, reflected a mirror image Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
of natural diamond jewellery of the industry performance post- and resurgence of COVID-19 in
demand was significant at 29% COVID-19, marked by a steady China (the second-largest export
and consequently the demand of increase in the overall exports. The market) and its zero-tolerance
polished diamonds grew by 51% recovery in demand after the lifting policy leading to intermittent
on a y-o-y basis in CY21. Over of lockdown restrictions in the US lockdowns, impacted the overall
and above the fiscal stimulus, the and China resulted in a faster-than- performance of the industry in the
lack of alternatives in terms of envisaged recovery in demand current financial year. With the
other luxury spending, experience- from Q2FY21 for five straight absence of Alrosa’s rough, which
based activities, travelling, etc., quarters, both in volume as well as accounts for about 25% of global
made diamonds a preferred choice value. Contrary to the expectation production with 40-50% market
for customers, who had excess of softening in the prices of rough share in smaller-sized diamonds,
liquidity due to a reduction in the diamonds post Diwali break, it CPD exports declined by 24%
overall expenditure. Moreso, the continued to increase, thereby at 183.30 lakh carats during
reduction in unemployment rates creating an imbalance in the pricing 9MFY23 (9MFY22: 241.07 lakh
and vaccination drives in the parity of rough diamond vs polished carats). Nevertheless, CPD exports
second half of the financial year diamond, marked by an increase declined by just 8% at USD 16.6
resulted in faster inventory turnover in CPD exports by 11% to USD 6.2 billion during 9MFY23 (9MFY22:
and earlier-than-usual orders for billion in Q4FY22, but with a decline USD 18.0 billion), primarily on
depleted inventories. in volume by 15% to 64 lakh carats account of elevated CPD prices,
over Q3FY22. On an annual basis, which also reflects the absence of
Overall, more than half of the global the exports of CPD rebounded smaller size Russian rough and a
natural diamond jewellery demand significantly by 49% y-o-y to USD dip in the consumer demand from
is contributed by the US, followed 24 billion. China.

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