Uzbekistan Gas Imports Soar to Record High Amid Export Decline

Uzbekistan's natural gas imports from Russia and Turkmenistan reached an all-time high in June, according to data released by the National Statistics Committee. The country imported significantly more gas than it exported during the January-June period, with a total value of $971.7 million, representing a 41.4% increase compared to the same time last year. Liquefied natural gas (propane) purchases accounted for $86.3 million of this total, which is 3.6 times higher than the previous period. The country's gas imports from Russia and Turkmenistan started off slowly in January, with $167.6 million worth of gas being imported, but declined sharply to $34.6 million in February.

However, imports recovered in March, reaching $158.3 million, followed by $147.8 million in April and $216.4 million in May. In June, gas purchases reached a new record for the year, totaling $247 million. On the other hand, Uzbekistan's gas exports declined by 34.4% since the beginning of the year, falling to $232.9 million.

The data from the National Statistical Committee differs significantly from figures provided by China's General Administration of Customs, which reported a decline in natural gas deliveries from Uzbekistan by nearly a quarter. In June, exports totaled $79.03 million, down 23.7% compared with the same month last year.