Inflow of remittances to Uzbekistan reached $3.8 billion in the first quarter amid changing geographical trends

According to information obtained by the publication 'Gazeta' based on data from the National Committee of Statistics, Uzbekistan imported natural gas amounting to $724.7 million during the period from January to May 2026.

Comparison with last year

This import volume exceeds the figure for the same period in 2025 by 84.1%. Updated data from the National Statistics Committee shows that in January-May 2025, gas imports amounted to $393.6 million. Furthermore, in a report released a year earlier, this same period was estimated at $285.5 million, which means an increase in initial data by $108.1 million.

Import details at the beginning of the year

According to the latest information, in January Uzbekistan received 'blue fuel' worth $167.6 million. In February, this figure was $34.6 million, and in March—$158.3 million. April imports reached $147.8 million, and May—$216.4 million, becoming the highest figure since the beginning of the year.

Natural gas export dynamics

Natural gas exports for the first five months decreased to $202.9 million, which is 29.5% less than last year when the figure was $288 million. In January, gas supplies were not made, and they resumed in February with a volume of $7.1 million. In March, exports reached $29.4 million, in April—$92.7 million, and in May—$73.5 million.

Exports to China

The General Customs Administration of China reports that from January to May, Uzbekistan exported natural gas to China worth $139.6 million. In January, small supplies of $1.09 million were recorded, followed by a two-month pause. The resumption of supplies in April amounted to $44.97 million, and in May—$93.6 million, which was the largest monthly volume of supplies from Uzbekistan to China since the beginning of the year.

Comparison of export data

According to Chinese customs data, from January to May 2025, Uzbekistan supplied China with gas worth $264.9 million, which is one and a half times the volume for the same period in 2026, when supplies ran for all five months. Previously, most of Uzbekistan's exported gas was directed to China. The publication 'Gazeta' has repeatedly pointed out that Chinese customs data on Uzbek gas imports often exceeded the figures published by the Uzbek side.

Historical data discrepancy

For example, at the end of 2025, China estimated the import of gas from Uzbekistan at $773.3 million, whereas Uzbek statistics for all natural gas exports (including not only China) indicated $628.8 million, creating a difference of $144.5 million. Over a six-year period, from 2020 to 2025, the discrepancy between the data of the two countries' agencies on gas supplies reached $687.2 million.

Situation in 2026

At the end of January-May 2026, the discrepancy was also significant, but this time it occurred in the opposite direction: the Uzbek side demonstrated a larger export volume than China, with a difference of $63.3 million. Theoretically, some gas could have been directed to other countries, such as Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan. Nevertheless, Kyrgyzstan's statistics show that Uzbek gas was not supplied there in January-April, and Tajikistan's import volumes are not disclosed, although they were insignificant in previous years.

Uzbekistan's foreign trade revenue exceeded the figure for the same period last year by 3.7 percent.

Trade Turnover Data

According to data from the National Statistical Committee, Uzbekistan's foreign trade revenue for the period from January to May 2026 amounted to $32.8 billion. This volume was higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Export and Import Structure

During this period, the export volume reached $12.6 billion, while imports amounted to $20.1 billion. Furthermore, excluding gold, the export of goods showed significant growth.

Growth in Goods Exports

Goods exports reached a volume of $6.5 billion, which represents an increase of 29.4 percent compared to the same period in 2025.