Uzbekistan's gas exports fall 34.8% as imports rise 15%
In January–August 2026 gas exports dropped to $322.3 million while imports climbed to $1.22 billion. In value terms Uzbekistan imported nearly four times as much gas as it exported, as domestic production fell 16.3%.
Uzbekistan's exports of natural and manufactured gas fell 34.8% year-on-year to $322.3 million in January–August 2026, while gas imports rose 15.2% to $1.22 billion, according to data from the National Statistics Committee.
Exports and imports
In value terms, Uzbekistan imported nearly four times as much gas as it exported. Of the imports, $124.3 million went on liquefied gas, including propane — a category that rose roughly 3.5-fold. The country continues to sell gas to China while bringing in supplies from Russia and Turkmenistan to cover domestic needs.
Production is falling
The drop in exports is tied to domestic production problems: natural gas output fell 16.3% in January–August to 24.2 billion cubic metres (from 28.9 billion in the same period last year). In August the government said expanding industrial capacity and a growing population were increasing demand for natural gas and petroleum products, with seasonal consumption adding further pressure.
New fields and investment
Five gas fields have been discovered since the start of the year and 80 wells drilled; a further 40 wells are planned for the fourth quarter. In May 2026 BP acquired a 40% stake in an exploration project in the Ustyurt region; Uzbekneftegaz and SOCAR each hold 30%, with SOCAR as operator. Upgrading electric motors at compressor stations is expected to save about 125 million cubic metres of gas a year.
