(IDEX Online) - De Beers reportedly increased rough prices by up to three per cent at its last Sight of the year in the firmest indication so far that demand is recovering from the pandemic.
Insiders say it's the first time since COVID-19 that De Beers has put prices up, after offering discounts and unprecedented flexibilities to Sight holders since August.
Yields from the 10th Sight of the year, last Sunday to Thursday, are expected to be broadly in line with $476m and $450m from the October and November Sights respectively.
Meanwhile De Beers has revised its production forecasts down slightly, wary of over-supplying a market after building up reserves over many months.
Next year it aims to produce 33m to 35m carats (down from 34m to 36m) and 30m to 33m carats in 2022 (down from 33m to 35m carats).
Mark Cutifani, (pictured) CEO of De Beers' parent company Anglo American, said in an investor update conference call last week: "We are being prudent in our forecasts and we are certainly not going to be a contributor to overstocking in the industry."
