De Beers banks on US for sales rebound

De Beers has cut its 2015 production due to weak sales
De Beers has cut its 2015 production due to weak sales

De Beers, one of the world’s largest producers of rough diamonds, says it is pinning hopes on the US Christmas period for the recovery of diamond sales.

The company recently lowered its full-year production guidance to between 29 million carats and 31 million carats from its previous forecast of between 30 million and 32 million carats due to projected weak sales.

Bruce Cleaver, De Beers head of strategic development told Mmegi Business in a teleconference on Friday that consumer demand for diamonds is likely to increase due to the US Christmas season which usually begins from late November.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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