russia has almost doubled its LPG exports to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries following EU sanctions

russia has almost doubled its exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Central Asia and Afghanistan, increasing them to 1.016 million tonnes. This was reported by Reuters, citing industry sources.

Traders said that supplies to Afghanistan, as well as to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, now account for about 36% of total LPG exports from russia, compared to 19% in 2024.

Afghanistan is the largest buyer of russian LPG in the region. According to the agency's sources, liquefied gas supplies to the country, in particular from Kazrosgaz, a joint venture with Kazakhstan, increased by 1.5 times in the first 11 months of the year to 418,000 tonnes. Traders added that russian LPG supplies to Afghanistan had increased in part due to reduced supplies from Iran, which was subject to US sanctions.

The agency noted that russia had to redirect supplies of LPG, or propane and butane, from Europe, which imposed restrictions in December 2024 due to russia's war against Ukraine.

LPG is mainly used as fuel for cars, heating and for the production of other petrochemical products.

Source: LIGA.net, Reuters