According to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office, diamond exports shot from P655 million to P1.759 billion between August and September this year, contributing approximately 67 percent of Botswana's total export figures of P2.6 billion.In terms of diamond sales, August and September are traditionally the best months for Debswana, with normal diamond export levels hovering around P3 billion.Total exports for September 2009 recorded P2 608.8 million, 67.4 percent (P1 759.2 million) of which were diamonds, followed by copper-nickel at 16.7 percent (P435.4 million).
Textiles contributed 4.4 percent (P115.4 million) while Meat & Meat Products contributed 3.4 percent (P87.6 million) to total exports during the same month.The country has been running a trade deficit for the past 12 months due to a sharp decline in diamond sales.Thanks to soaring diamond sales, Botswana's trade deficit stood at P240.6 million in September, a considerable amount compared to late last year when the figure was nearly P1 billion.
