Asia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports in March 2026 at 21.12 million tonnes (mt) is the lowest for the month in the last 8 years as the West Asia conflict impacted supplies from the UAE and Qatar.

China, India and Pakistan are the three main players in Asia who led the import drop, said the Gas Exporting Countries’ Forum’s (GCEF) April 2026 gas market report.

In March 2026, Asia’s LNG imports declined further, falling by 4.3 per cent (0.94 mt) y-o-y to 21.12 mt, the lowest level for March since 2019, the GECF said.

“The decline was primarily driven by reduced LNG supply from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid the Middle East conflict. China, India and Pakistan led the drop, partially offset by higher imports in Taiwan and Thailand,” it added.

Lower LNG imports from Qatar were the main driver behind declines in China, India and Pakistan, with reduced UAE LNG supply further weighing on India. 

In China, the GECF report pointed out that a well-supplied gas market also dampened spot LNG demand. Despite reduced Qatari volumes, Taiwan increased LNG imports from Brunei, Canada and the US to meet stronger gas demand.

Thailand boosted imports of re-exported LNG from China to offset lower Qatari LNG supply and weaker pipeline gas imports. Similarly, South Korea’s reduced LNG imports from Qatar were largely offset by higher imports from Canada and re-exported LNG from China, it added.

For the period January to March 2026, Asia’s LNG imports reached 69.25 Mt, representing an increase of 3.8 per cent (2.55 mt) y-o-y.

“In March 2026, global LNG exports fell by 6.8 per cent (2.62 Mt) y-o-y to 35.80 Mt marking the largest decline since July 2020. Exports from GECF member countries drove the decline, which was partially offset by higher exports from non-GECF countries and an uptick in re-exports,” the report said.

The conflict disrupted LNG transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the sole export route for Qatar and the UAE, significantly constraining their exports. In addition, damage to two LNG trains in Qatar (12.8 mtpa) could reduce Qatar’s LNG supply in the short to medium-term, GECF explained.

The share of non-GECF countries in global LNG exports increased sharply to 66.2 per cent in March 2026, up from 53.1 per cent a year earlier. 

The US, Australia and Russia were the top LNG exporters during the month, with Qatar dropping out of the top three due to the impact of the Middle East conflict.

US LNG exports reached a record high of 11.74 mt in March, supported by the ramp-up in production from the Corpus Christi Stage 3 and Plaquemines LNG, as well as stronger output from Freeport LNG, GECF added.

Published on April 28, 2026