The growth in gas exports comes amid a broader trend of increased gas imports by Uzbekistan. From January to September 2024, the country significantly ramped up its natural gas imports, particularly from Turkmenistan and Russia. During this period, gas imports rose by 2.62 times, totaling $1.27 billion. In September alone, Uzbekistan imported natural gas worth $126.3 million. This shift is part of a broader trend that began in 2023, when Uzbekistan, for the first time in its post-independence history, transitioned from being a net gas exporter to a net importer.

Despite a slight slowdown in gas exports to China in September compared to previous months—down from $81.7 million in August to $70.1 million — the total value of gas exports to China since the beginning of the year reached $479.5 million, up 16.5% year-on-year.

However, the figures from Uzbekistan’s Statistics Agency differ slightly from those provided by China’s General Administration of Customs. According to Chinese customs, Uzbekistan exported $498.9 million worth of gas to China in 2024, which represents a 16.6% increase compared to 2023.

Turkmenistan remains the largest supplier of natural gas to China, with exports totaling $7.4 billion this year. Russia follows in second place, increasing its gas exports by nearly 25% to $6.13 billion. Kazakhstan and Myanmar round out the top four, with exports of $1.05 billion and $1.04 billion, respectively.