DRC Diamond Exports Experience Historic Decline Over a Decade
Over the span of a decade, from 2013 to 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has witnessed a significant downturn in diamond exports, as revealed by statistical data from the Ministry of Mines via the technical cell for coordination and mining planning (CTCPM).
In 2023, the DRC’s diamond production reached 8,305,796.60 carats, nearly half of the 2017 production peak of 17,924,982.26 carats, marking the lowest level recorded since 2019.
Compared to 2022, diamond production in 2017 experienced a decline of over 28%. Over the past five years, it has plummeted by more than 40% from 2019 statistics and by 33% from 2021 figures, indicating a prolonged crisis in diamond export for the DRC since 2017.
Major destinations for Congolese diamonds include the United Arab Emirates, which accounted for 56% of annual exports, followed by Belgium (EU) with 41%, and India with 2%.
Despite the dominance of artisanal mining in the DRC’s diamond sector compared to industrial production, artisanal mining remains modest in comparison.
Nonetheless, the artisanal sector plays a crucial role in the Congolese diamond economy, underscoring the ongoing challenges related to regulation and formalization.
