Uzbekistan increases both gas imports and exports

Uzbekistan’s gas imports have increased 5.7 times since the beginning of the year, while its gas exports have grown by 7.4%, amounting to $404 million. This information was reported by the Statistics Agency in its latest report on foreign trade turnover.

According to the report, the value of gas imported by Uzbekistan between January and August reached $1.15 billion. In the same period of 2023, the figure was $201.8 million, indicating a 5.7-fold increase in gas imports for 2024. Uzbekistan primarily imports gas from Russia and Turkmenistan, with an average monthly import value of $168.3 million.

The report also shows that Uzbekistan's gas exports have increased compared to the same period in 2023, reaching $404.8 million. In 2023, the figure stood at $377.9 million, reflecting a 7.1% growth in exports for 2024.

It’s worth noting that Uzbekistan began importing gas from Russia through Kazakhstan on October 7, 2023. However, officials have not yet disclosed the import price. In February 2024, it was announced that the Uzbek government plans to modernize the country's main gas infrastructure to increase gas imports from Russia by 3.5 times—from 9 million to 32 million cubic meters.

Despite the rise in gas imports, Uzbekistan has continued exporting gas. In July, gas exports totaled $91.7 million, which is 1.3 times higher than the $63.9 million exported in July 2023. Between January and July 2024, Uzbekistan exported $323.1 million worth of gas, compared to $341.9 million during the same period in 2023.

Additionally, it was reported that in January-August 2024, Russia's Gazprom doubled its gas exports to Central Asia.