Pearl jewelry trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in pearl jewelry was worth $159.8 million in 2024, about 937 tonnes. That is a fall of 78% since 2017, and down 11% 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 | $159.8M | 937 t |
| 2023 | $179.0M | 686 t |
| 2022 | $144.6M | 858 t |
| 2021 | $129.2M | 1.1K t |
| 2020 | $88.9M | 916 t |
| 2019 | $128.9M | 696 t |
| 2018 | $109.6M | 334 t |
| 2017 | $712.4M | 289 t |
Top pearl jewelry exporting countries
Japan is the largest exporter with 22% of world exports, followed by China and Myanmar. The top three supply 53% between them, out of 115 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $35.2M | 22% |
| China | $32.5M | 20% |
| Myanmar | $17.1M | 11% |
| United States | $14.3M | 8.9% |
| Australia | $7.1M | 4.4% |
| Hong Kong | $7.0M | 4.4% |
| France | $5.7M | 3.6% |
| Germany | $4.2M | 2.6% |
| Switzerland | $3.3M | 2.1% |
| Philippines | $2.7M | 1.7% |
| Thailand | $2.6M | 1.7% |
| Bahrain | $2.5M | 1.6% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are Hong Kong (28%), the United States (16%) and Japan (9%). 157 countries imported it, and the top three take 53% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | $44.5M | 28% |
| United States | $26.2M | 16% |
| Japan | $14.1M | 8.8% |
| Switzerland | $9.4M | 5.9% |
| China | $7.3M | 4.6% |
| Germany | $5.0M | 3.1% |
| Qatar | $4.9M | 3.1% |
| United Kingdom | $4.0M | 2.5% |
| Czech Republic | $4.0M | 2.5% |
| Canada | $3.5M | 2.2% |
| Italy | $3.1M | 2% |
| Macao | $2.6M | 1.6% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $170.57 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Myanmar averaged $11,428.71 per kg and China $110.29 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.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Pearl jewelry (HS 7116.10) 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 7116.10: Pearls: articles of natural or cultured pearls. HS 7116 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most pearl jewelry?
Japan exported $35.2 million in 2024, 22% of the world total, followed by China (20%) and Myanmar (11%). In all, 115 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most pearl jewelry?
Hong Kong imported $44.5 million in 2024, 28% of world imports, ahead of the United States (16%) and Japan (9%). The top three importers together take 53%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in pearl jewelry?
It was worth $159.8 million in 2024, about 937 tonnes. That is a fall of 78% since 2017. The peak year was 2017 at $712.4 million. 115 countries reported exports and 157 reported imports.
What is the average price of pearl jewelry per kg?
The world average declared value was about $170.57 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Myanmar averaged $11,428.71 per kg and China $110.29 per kg, so grade and origin matter. Read it as a benchmark: it blends all grades, origins and contract terms.
What is the HS code for pearl jewelry?
The HS code for pearl jewelry is subheading 7116.10, 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 7116 page.
How can I find pearl jewelry buyers and suppliers?
EximDataX shows the importers and exporters of pearl jewelry by name, from shipment-level customs records updated weekly. Ask for a live look at the markets you sell to.
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