Top Pearls Importers 2015 This list reveals the top 10 pearls importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2015, world pearls imports totaled US$2 billion.

Fastest-Growing Pearls Import Countries To see the fastest-growing pearls importers from 2011 to 2015, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for globally imported pearls was 34%.

Research Note:  Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.

Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis