Angola’s Polished Diamond Exports Surge in 2025 Despite Global Price Pressures

Angola Polished Diamond Exports More Than Double in 2025 as Volumes and Revenues Rise

Angola’s polished diamond exports more than doubled in 2025, recording strong growth in both volumes and total export value despite a decline in average prices, according to a statement released by the country’s national diamond trading company, Sodiam, on January 26.

Sodiam reported that between January 1 and December 31, 2025, Angola exported 23,300 carats of polished diamonds at an average price of $4,705.74 per carat, generating total export revenues of $109.7 million.

Compared with the same period in 2024, export volumes increased by 126.5 percent, while total export value rose by 107 percent, reflecting a substantial expansion in Angola’s polished diamond trade.

The company noted that this strong growth in volumes occurred alongside an 8.6 percent decline in the average price per carat.

Sodiam attributed the softer pricing to prevailing international market conditions, including sustained growth in demand for synthetic diamonds and an oversupply of naturally sourced polished diamonds.

Despite these price pressures, Sodiam said the average prices achieved during the year continued to reflect the high quality of Angola’s polished diamonds, which consistently meet international standards for purity, size, and overall value.

According to Sodiam, performance in the polished diamond segment was significantly influenced by increased exports from Indian diamond company KGK.

The company recorded a 176 percent increase in the quantity of polished diamonds exported during 2025, which Sodiam identified as a key driver of the overall rise in export volumes and revenues.

Sodiam also reported heightened activity within Angola’s domestic diamond processing sector. During the year, local polishing factories purchased 62,500 carats of rough diamonds for processing, with a total value of approximately $104 million.

Compared with 2024, this represented a 67.6 percent increase in volume and a 69.6 percent increase in value.

The company said these figures point to growing dynamism within the local polishing industry, although performance across the sector remains uneven.

While some factories recorded significantly higher activity levels, others continued to post more modest results, largely due to smaller production capacities.

Sodiam highlighted that diamond polishing is a highly complex activity, both technically and financially. The process requires advanced expertise, precision, and several years of specialised experience, as well as sophisticated financial and logistical management across multiple production cycles.

The company noted that the development of polishing operations requires substantial capital mobilisation to maintain stable operational flows.

Each capital turnover cycle can last between three and five months, placing additional pressure on factory management and cash flow.

Despite ongoing challenges linked to shifts in the global diamond market, Sodiam said the 2025 results demonstrate the resilience of Angola’s diamond sector.

The company added that the performance of the polishing segment underscores the importance of continued investment in local beneficiation to drive value creation and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Sodiam further stated that the incentive concession strategy adopted for Angola’s diamond polishing industry has played a central role in sustaining activity, while also supporting the creation of direct and indirect employment across the sector.