Li Zhihong: Statistics on import and export of diamonds and products in 2013
2025-09-30 10:07:29
On April 23, 2014, the Sixth Extended Meeting of the Fourth Superhard Materials Branch and the Cross-Strait Symposium on Superhard Materials Development were held in Jinghong City, Yunnan Province. Li Zhihong, Secretary General of the association, presented a report titled “2013 Statistics on Import and Export of Diamonds and Products.†According to the report, China produced approximately 15.1 billion carats of diamonds in 2013, reflecting a 7.9% annual growth rate. Meanwhile, cubic boron nitride (CBN) production reached 430 million carats, with an impressive 13.2% year-on-year increase. While diamond production growth slowed, CBN output showed significant momentum.
The report highlighted two major challenges facing China’s superhard materials industry: intense price competition and a heavy reliance on low-end markets. Despite this, imports of high-end diamonds and related products continued to rise, indicating strong demand for premium quality in China. However, domestic products still fail to meet certain standards. In the case of diamond saw blades, while some Chinese manufacturers have gained global recognition with high-end products, the share of low-end offerings is also increasing. Some companies have even set up subsidiaries in Thailand to bypass U.S. anti-dumping lawsuits against Chinese saw blades.
China's diamond products dominate the U.S. market, holding over 81.4% of the market share, which reflects their global competitiveness. However, the report noted that prices for Chinese diamond products are declining, particularly in the superfine plating segment. In the Japanese market, the proportion of high-end diamond products exported from China has increased, though competition remains fierce against Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
At the end of the report, Li Zhihong emphasized that both international and domestic markets are experiencing weak demand, leading to slower growth in the superhard materials sector. Enterprises are under unprecedented pressure due to economic slowdowns at home and abroad. Although diamond exports have gradually recovered from the 2009 downturn, they have not yet reached the peak levels seen in 2011. The export unit price fell by 11.4%, while import volumes surged by 62.2%, creating a new historical high. The import-to-export price ratio remains as high as 2.9 times.
Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook for China’s superhard materials industry remains positive. Strengthening research and development, upgrading technology, and fostering innovation are essential for sustainable growth. Companies should focus on market analysis, identify gaps, and pursue differentiated development strategies. Avoiding blind expansion and redundant production capacity is crucial to prevent negative consequences. With determination and strategic planning, the industry can continue to grow and compete globally.
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