Uzbekistan increases gas exports to China

Despite rising imports of natural gas from Russia and Turkmenistan in May, Uzbekistan's export volumes remain more than twice as high compared to early 2024 levels.

Between January and May 2025, Uzbekistan exported slightly more natural gas than it imported, according to data from the National Statistics Committee.

Over the first five months of the year, natural gas imports from Turkmenistan and Russia dropped more than twofold, totaling $285.5 million. 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

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