Antwerp’s diamond sector has recorded a notable recovery in early 2026, with trading volumes rising by nearly 20% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year, according to figures from the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and sector representatives.
The upturn follows several years of decline, with the first signs of recovery emerging in December 2025. That growth has continued into the new year, driven by a combination of structural reforms and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
AWDC chief executive Karen Rentmeesters indicated that the improvement reflects measures aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and maintaining Antwerp’s attractiveness as an international trading hub. She pointed to closer cooperation at Belgian and European level, alongside administrative changes such as streamlined visa procedures for foreign traders and the recognition of diamond cutters and sorters as shortage occupations.
These reforms have made it easier for international diamantaires to operate in Antwerp, a view echoed by sector spokesperson Ine Tassignon. She noted that faster visa processing now allows traders to travel more easily to the city for fairs and business, while labour shortages are being addressed through the recruitment of skilled workers from abroad.
Geopolitics has also played a role in Antwerp’s renewed appeal. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has made competing hubs such as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates less attractive for some traders. `
According to sector representatives, the relative proximity of the conflict has prompted companies to relocate both personnel and goods to more stable environments, with Antwerp benefiting from that shift. Rentmeesters indicated that such geopolitical tensions are reinforcing a broader trend of companies seeking flexibility and stability in their operations.
Despite the increase in trading volumes, the recovery remains fragile. The total value of diamonds traded in Antwerp rose by only 3.7% year-on-year in the first quarter, reflecting continued pressure on prices. Rough diamond prices fell sharply- by around 27% compared with a year earlier – largely due to weak demand for polished stones, competition from synthetic diamonds, and the overhang of stockpiles built up after the 2022 market peak.
Tassignon stressed that the crisis in the natural diamond sector is not yet over. Trading volumes in rough diamonds in 2025 were still only a fraction of 2022 levels, highlighting the scale of the downturn.
However, she indicated that prices for polished diamonds have recently begun to recover as excess inventories diminish, a development that could support a gradual rise in rough diamond prices in the coming months.
While uncertainties remain, the combination of policy support and Antwerp’s reputation as a stable, liquid marketplace appears to be helping the sector regain some momentum.
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