Uzbekistan Expands Natural Gas Deliveries to China

Despite increased natural gas imports from Russia and Turkmenistan in May, Uzbekistan's export volumes remain more than double the levels recorded in early 2024.

Over the first five months of the year, natural gas imports from Turkmenistan and Russia dropped more than twofold, totaling $285.5 million, The Caspian Post reports citing Kun.uz. In January, imports stood at $27.8 million, falling to $8 million in February and $2.7 million in March. However, imports rebounded to $112 million in April and reached $135 million in May.

Meanwhile, gas exports to China rose by 62.7% year-on-year, reaching $288 million. Monthly exports included:

• January: $21.8 million
• February: $20.2 million
• March: $52.3 million
• April: $105.4 million
• May: $88.3 million

However, the figures reported by Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee differ slightly from those published by China’s General Administration of Customs. According to Chinese data, Uzbekistan exported $261.85 million worth of gas to China during the same five-month period - a 70% increase compared to the previous year.

Additionally, China’s customs authority reported a 64.4% monthly increase in gas imports from Uzbekistan, rising from $72.24 million in April to $118.78 million in May, which also represents a nearly 40% increase compared to May 2024.

China’s top gas suppliers

Russia remained China’s top gas supplier during the first five months of 2025, with exports totaling $4.06 billion. Turkmenistan followed in second place with $3.53 billion. Other suppliers included:

• Myanmar: $663.7 million
• Kazakhstan: $383.8 million
• The United States and Italy: with relatively small volumes