Uzbekistan increased gas imports amid declining exports

Uzbekistan Increases Gas Purchases While Exports Decline

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) —

In the first half of 2026, Uzbekistan significantly increased its natural gas imports, while exports declined, according to data from the National Statistics Committee.

From January to June, natural gas imports from Russia and Turkmenistan increased by 41.4%, reaching $971.7 million. This figure includes $86.3 million spent on liquefied natural gas, which increased imports by 3.6 times.

Gas import dynamics were unstable during the first half of the year. After January's purchases of $167.6 million, February's supply volume fell to $34.6 million. However, imports rose again in March to $158.3 million, reached $147.8 million in April, $216.4 million in May, and reached a year-high of $247 million in June.

At the same time, Uzbekistan's natural gas exports fell by 34.4% over the first six months, reaching $232.9 million. Export operations were completely suspended in January, resuming in February at $7.1 million.

In March, gas exports increased more than fivefold compared to February, reaching $29.4 million. In April, they rose to $92.7 million, fell to $73.5 million in May, and reached $30 million in June.

It should be noted that the data from the National Statistics Committee differs from the information from the General Administration of Customs of China. According to Chinese statistics, Uzbekistan exported $218.6 million worth of natural gas from January to June 2026. The difference between these two figures exceeds $14.2 million.

Chinese customs also reported a decrease in natural gas supplies from Uzbekistan.

In June, exports totaled $79.03 million, a 23.7% decrease compared to the same period last year. Compared to January to June 2025, when gas exports reached $368.5 million, the current figures represent a decline of more than 40%.