Uzbekistan increased gas exports to China by 25% in 2024

Data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs reveals that Uzbekistan exported natural gas worth $587.9 million to China in the first ten months of 2024, marking a 25% year-on-year increase.

However, monthly export volumes showed a slight decline in October, dropping to $88.93 million from a record $97.4 million in September. Despite the decrease, October exports were 2.09 times higher than the same period in 2023.

Domestically, Uzbekistan’s gas imports have surged 2.4 times compared to the previous year. According to Uzbekistan's Statistics Agency, gas imports from Turkmenistan and Russia totaled $1.36 billion between January and October. Monthly imports reached $86.7 million.

The sharp rise in imports highlights Uzbekistan’s shifting role from a net exporter to an importer of natural gas—a historic change first observed in 2023.

China remains a dominant buyer in the regional gas market, with Turkmenistan leading exports to the country. In 2024, Turkmenistan supplied natural gas worth $8.07 billion to China, followed by Russia at $6.66 billion, reflecting a 25% increase in Russian exports. Kazakhstan and Myanmar ranked third and fourth, with exports valued at $1.17 billion and $1.15 billion, respectively.

Uzbekistan, while expanding its exports, is balancing its growing domestic energy demands by securing additional supplies from neighboring states.

The dual trends of rising gas exports to China and increasing imports from regional producers underline Uzbekistan's strategic role in Central Asia’s energy landscape. The data indicates continued engagement with global and regional energy markets, reflecting both opportunities and challenges for the country's gas industry.