Sierra Leone Diamond Exports in First Half of 2009: $70 Million

The value of diamond exports from Sierra Leone in the first half of 2009 stand at around $70 million, having fallen by nearly half from the same period of 2008.
The decline is attributed to a lower volume of diamonds exported as well as falling world prices for diamonds.
The value of the country’s exports is projected to be some $180 million, about 27% smaller than in 2008.