In August 2009, polished diamond exports from Belgium decreased by 30 percent to $282 million, and in volume- terms by 18 percent to 240,586.08 carats. The average price dipped by 15 percent as compared to last year to $1.17 billion. The country’s exports showed a decrease to all its major markets excepting Hong Kong where it increased by 57 percent to $61 million. In the other markets, exports to U.S. dropped by 15 percent to $112.6 million, to Israel by 59 percent to $26.3 million. %% Import of polished diamonds in the said month decreased by 45 percent to $515.7 million, leading to the net polished imports (measuring the excess of exports from imports) rose by 55 percent, although falling in a deficit of $233.6 million. %% The export of rough diamonds also dipped by 45 percent to $516.2 million and exports by 39 percent to $402.4 million. The net rough imports(calculated as imports less exports) decreased by 58 percent to $113.8 million. %% The country’s net diamond account for the month which is noted as total exports less total imports, increased by 56 percent, although showed a deficit of $347.5 million.