Uzbekistan imported gas worth $360.2 million in Jan-Mar 2023, a 2.4-fold increase compared to the same period last year. This accounts for over half of the total gas imports for the year. Gas imports in January stood at $35.6 million, skyrocketing to $131.1 million in February, and reaching $193.5 million in March.
The country also exported gas worth $45.4 million during this period, with January exports at $21 million, February at $5.7 million, and March at $18.7 million.
According to China's General Administration of Customs, in March, China, the main buyer of Uzbek gas, did not import any gas from Uzbekistan. Previously, it was reported that China received $57.38 million worth of gas from Uzbekistan in January-February, double the volume stated by the Uzbek side.
Uzbekistan's gas imports exceeded exports by $314.8 million in the first quarter. Despite having vast gas reserves, Uzbekistan has become a net gas importer. The country started importing gas from Russia via Kazakhstan in October 2023, with plans to invest $500 million in upgrading the gas pipeline system to boost gas imports from the north.
