Uzbekistan's natural gas production falls 30% in June

Uzbekistan produced 2.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas in June 2026, down about 30% from 3.5 billion cubic metres in the same month a year earlier, according to data from the National Statistics Committee cited by Interfax.

Natural gas production in the first six months of 2026 totalled 18.3 billion cubic metres, a 16% decline from 21.9 billion cubic metres during the corresponding period in 2025.

Uzbekistan's oil and gas sector previously produced around 70 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually. However, production has fallen sharply in recent years due to declining reserves and technological losses. In 2025, the country produced 42 billion cubic metres of natural gas.

Uzbekistan became a net importer of natural gas in 2023, when it began purchasing supplies from Russia's Gazprom. The gas is transported through the Central Asia–Centre pipeline operating in reverse-flow mode. In 2025, Gazprom supplied 6.48 billion cubic metres of natural gas to Uzbekistan.

According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan imported natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) worth $972 million during the first half of 2026, 1.4 times more than during the same period a year earlier.

Gas import spending reached its highest monthly level of the year in June at $247 million, following $216 million in May and $168 million in January. Russia and Turkmenistan are the country's main gas suppliers.

The committee said Uzbekistan's natural gas export volumes depend on domestic demand. Export revenue was highest in April, when more moderate weather reduced local consumption, reaching $93 million. No natural gas exports were recorded in January. China remains the main destination for Uzbekistan's gas exports.

By Sabina Mammadli