Meanwhile, a first-difference panel VAR model is used, applied to the 56 diamond-exporting countries, mostly from the Kimberley process, from 2004-2022. Through the Impulse Response Functions, an attempt was made to capture the most relevant exogenous shocks in the international markets, particularly the international diamond markets. The Impulse Response Functions show, however, that the exogenous shocks are not relevant due to the price of diamonds per carat. The results also show that there are strong reasons for the economic resilience of the largest diamond producers, particularly Botswana, even though there is evidence of negative shocks at the outset. On the other hand, positive shocks have a positive impact on diamond exports, mainly associated with positive stimuli in production, and are strongly correlated with positive endogenous shocks. Negative exogenous trade policy shocks were also quantified, but the results show no influence on export levels. On the other hand, there were sharp declines which are initially supported by negative exchange rate shocks, given the volatility of the exchange rate markets, but which suggest a significant slowdown in diamond export levels.
JEL classification: c01; c21; c23; c33; F10.