Russian Gas Exports to Uzbekistan Expected to Hit 10 Bn Cubic Metres
The International Energy Agency expects Russia to supply 10 bn cubic metres of natural gas to Uzbekistan this year. This projection highlights an expanding regional energy trade as domestic extraction in the Central Asian republic continues to decline.
According to a recently published IEA report, Russian gas deliveries routed through Kazakhstan via the Central Asia-Centre pipeline system will experience significant growth. Experts forecast these supply volumes will rise from 7 bn cubic metres in 2025 to slightly more than 10 bn cubic metres in 2026.
Falling domestic extraction fuels imports
This surge in foreign imports correlates directly with a sustained drop in domestic fuel production. Data from the Statistics Agency shows domestic gas extraction reached just 15.8 bn cubic metres by early June this year. This represents a substantial decrease from the 18.4 bn cubic metres produced during the same period in 2025.
The domestic energy shortfall has forced the country to significantly increase foreign spending to meet national demand. During the first five months of 2026, Uzbekistan purchased $724.7 mln worth of natural and artificial gas from abroad. This marks a sharp 84.1% increase in import costs compared to the previous year. Concurrently, liquefied gas imports tripled in value to reach $68.2 mln over the same timeframe.
The structural foundation for this cross-border energy trade was initially laid in the summer of 2023 when Uzbek authorities and Russian energy giant Gazprom signed a landmark supply contract. Following this agreement, Gazprom reported its annual fuel deliveries to the country had reached 7.7 bn cubic metres.
Since that initial contract, the Russian firm has steadily broadened its footprint across Central Asia. In 2024, Gazprom secured a new deal to supply natural gas to neighbouring Kyrgyzstan. To ensure reliable logistics, the company also signed a comprehensive transit agreement with Kazakhstan to facilitate continuous pipeline deliveries to both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. These long-term transit arrangements are scheduled to remain active through to 2040.
