Dubai Diamond Trade Surges to Record $41.7 Billion in 2025, Minister Urges Producer Nations to Retain More Value
By Business & Property Desk2 min read
The UAE’s role at the centre of the global diamond trade should translate into greater benefits for producing countries, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, speaking at the Dubai Diamond Conference on Monday.
Stronger commercial links, the minister said, ought to channel investment, expertise and financing into producer nations so they can keep a larger share of economic value at home.
Connectivity Creates Value on Both Sides
“The UAE connects producing nations in Africa with manufacturing centres in India, Asia and consumer markets around the world. That connectivity should create value on both sides,” Al Marri told delegates at the conference hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).
Over two decades, the UAE’s relationship with the diamond industry has shifted dramatically, Al Marri noted. The country now sits at the heart of the global network, linking producers with traders, investors and consumers.
Record Trade Figures
In 2025, total diamond trade value rose 16.2 percent to reach an all-time high of $41.7 billion, according to Dubai Customs data published earlier this year.
Natural diamonds accounted for 95.8 percent of that volume, although Al Marri acknowledged that the segment faces structural pressure from rising demand for lab-grown diamonds.
“Producing countries should benefit not only from the market access, but as well from investments, skills, financing and opportunities to retain more value in their own economies,” he added.
Since 2020, the value of diamond trade passing through Dubai has increased by 139 percent and volume by 100 percent, the Dubai Customs figures show.
Expansion into Polished Diamonds and Global Partnerships
The minister explained that Dubai’s initial success came from rough diamond trading but has since broadened to include polished diamonds.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of DMCC, said in his keynote address that polished diamond trade value had climbed 246 percent since 2020, while the average value per carat had risen eight to nine times.
DMCC operates the region’s largest diamond tender facility, the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), which hosts leading international diamond trading communities.
The centre recently signed an agreement with the Botswana Stock Exchange Group to establish Africa’s first multi-commodity sister-hub, linking Dubai with Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. That move is intended to widen investment links and give the Botswanan capital access to global markets through Dubai.
DDE has also signed a cooperation agreement with the London Diamond Bourse (LDB) to strengthen ties between the two exchanges, expand opportunities for their respective members and reinforce collaboration across the international diamond and gemstone trade.
