Russia rose to the top of the ranks in 2009 as the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds, according to data released by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). This dominance may be short-lived, however, because Russia’s rise was largely a result of Alrosa’s decision to continue producing, while other producers scaled back in the wake of the global financial crisis.

According to the KPCS, global production of rough diamonds was 124.8 million carats, with a total value of  $8.64 billion. This represented a 23.4 percent fall in volume and a 32.2 percent fall in U.S. dollar value from the amounts reported in 2008.

Russia produced 34.8 million carats worth $2.34 billion in 2009, accounting for 28 percent of the world’s total production by volume and 27 percent by value. This was somewhat down on the 36.9 million carats reported in 2008, but significantly down in the $3.27 billion reported in 2008, because of a steep fall in the price per carat.

Canada, which reported 10.95 million carats of rough diamonds mined in 2009, worth $1.48 billion, was the second largest producer in terms of value. By volume, however, the number two spot was assumed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, which produced 21.3 million carats. The value of its production, however, was worth  only $225.8 million.

Botswana, regularly the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds by value, stood in the number three position, according to the KPCS. It’s rough diamond output in 2009 equaled 17.73 million carats worth $1.44 billion.

Credit is given to AWDC Antwerp by DiamondTopics.com