Cultured pearls (unworked) trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in cultured pearls (unworked) was worth $466.6 million in 2024, about 169 tonnes. That is an increase of 23% since 2017, and down 12% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $466.6M | 169 t |
| 2023 | $527.6M | 355 t |
| 2022 | $295.4M | 256 t |
| 2021 | $294.9M | 107 t |
| 2020 | $170.1M | 109 t |
| 2019 | $358.1M | 129 t |
| 2018 | $389.8M | 1.8K t |
| 2017 | $379.6M | 161 t |
Top cultured pearls (unworked) exporting countries
Exports are led by Australia (25%), Japan (19%) and Indonesia (16%). 52 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 60%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $117.5M | 25% |
| Japan | $88.2M | 19% |
| Indonesia | $76.2M | 16% |
| French Polynesia | $67.1M | 14% |
| Philippines | $24.5M | 5.2% |
| United States | $23.6M | 5.1% |
| Hong Kong | $22.2M | 4.8% |
| China | $15.7M | 3.4% |
| Myanmar | $11.0M | 2.4% |
| Vietnam | $6.9M | 1.5% |
| Switzerland | $3.2M | 0.7% |
| India | $3.0M | 0.7% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are Japan (46%), Hong Kong (39%) and the United States (3%). 87 countries imported it, and the top three take 88% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $215.9M | 46% |
| Hong Kong | $180.0M | 39% |
| United States | $13.1M | 2.8% |
| India | $12.8M | 2.7% |
| China | $12.4M | 2.7% |
| Thailand | $8.2M | 1.8% |
| Australia | $5.2M | 1.1% |
| Macao | $3.7M | 0.8% |
| Taiwan | $3.4M | 0.7% |
| France | $2.9M | 0.6% |
| Philippines | $2.6M | 0.6% |
| Italy | $1.1M | 0.2% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $2,757.63 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Australia averaged $25,932.09 per kg and China $241.63 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Cultured pearls (unworked) (HS 7101.21) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 7101.21: Pearls: cultured, unworked, whether or not graded (but not strung, mounted or set), temporarily strung for the convenience of transport. HS 7101 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most cultured pearls (unworked)?
Australia exported $117.5 million in 2024, 25% of the world total, followed by Japan (19%) and Indonesia (16%). In all, 52 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most cultured pearls (unworked)?
Japan imported $215.9 million in 2024, 46% of world imports, ahead of Hong Kong (39%) and the United States (3%). The top three importers together take 88%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in cultured pearls (unworked)?
It was worth $466.6 million in 2024, about 169 tonnes. That is an increase of 23% since 2017. The peak year was 2023 at $527.6 million. 52 countries reported exports and 87 reported imports.
What is the average price of cultured pearls (unworked) per kg?
The world average declared value was about $2,757.63 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Australia averaged $25,932.09 per kg and China $241.63 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for cultured pearls (unworked)?
The HS code for cultured pearls (unworked) is subheading 7101.21, in chapter 71 (natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 7101 page.
How can I find cultured pearls (unworked) buyers and suppliers?
Company names sit below these country totals: EximDataX reads the customs records shipment by shipment, with dates and values. We can show cultured pearls (unworked) buyers and suppliers on a short call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.