Exports of rough diamonds by Botswana in May dropped to $267.7 million from $402.2 million in April, the Bank of Botswana reported.
Exports of rough goods in the first quarter of this year fell to $718.9 million from $826.8 million in the same period of last year.
Although there were no figures relating to polished exports in April or May, in the first quarter, polished diamond exports totaled $102.0 million down significantly from $160.5 million in the same period last year.
The Bank of Botswana reported that all diamond exports in the first quarter came to $1.771 billion. That compares with $1.018 billion in the year-earlier quarter.
The data show the rising levels of diamonds exported from Botswana as the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) moves its operations to Gaborone from London.
That transfer of operations is due to be completed by October, and the first DTC sight in Botswana will take place in November.
