Botswana exported rough diamonds worth 36.03 billion pula (about $4 billion) during 2017, a drop of nearly 17% over the value of rough exported in the previous year, according to reports in the local media, quoting figures released by the Bank of Botswana.

The decline was largely due to weaker demand during the six month period ended December 31, 2017, the reports states without providing separate figures for each of the periods.

While reporting the total value of exports, the Bank did not provide figures in terms of volume.

Debswana, a partnership between government and De Beers is t he major producer of rough diamonds within the country. According to Anglo-American, production at Debswama’s Orapa mine increased 14% in the year following planned increases in plant performance, and the ramp-up of Plant 1, which was previously on partial care and maintenance in response to trading conditions in late 2015. However, in Jwaneng, production decreased 15% due to expected lower grades.