Asian LNG Demand Recovers as China and Japan Boost Imports

Liquefied natural gas demand in Asia has begun to recover from the shock of losing almost 20% of global supply due to the Iran conflict, thanks largely to increased imports by China.

Data compiled by commodity analysts Kpler shows that Asia's LNG imports had dropped to a six-year low of 18.74 million tons in April after the US and Israeli attacks on Iran stopped shipments from Qatar, which shipped 80.9 million tons last year.

China, the world's biggest LNG importer, saw its imports drop to 66.48 million tons in 2025, but with a forecast of reaching 4.48 million tons in June, down slightly from the four-month high of 4.74 million in May.