Despite the growth in domestic production of automotive gasoline, Uzbekistan has significantly increased its fuel imports from abroad. In the first seven months of 2026, the country increased gasoline imports by 54%, purchasing 710 thousand tons of fuel. This exceeds the volume purchased during the same period last year by 248.3 thousand tons.
According to data from the Customs Committee, $426 million was spent on purchasing gasoline abroad, which averaged about $600 per ton of imported fuel.
For comparison, from January to July 2025, Uzbekistan imported 461.7 thousand tons of gasoline, with a total cost of $264.9 million. Throughout 2025, the volume of purchases more than doubled, and import costs increased by $161.1 million, equivalent to an almost 61% rise.
This increase in imports occurs parallel to the growth in domestic production. In the first half of 2026, 614.2 thousand tons of automotive gasoline were produced in the country, which is 34.5 thousand tons more than in the same period of 2025.
Previously, there was information that Kyrgyzstan had appealed to Uzbekistan and other countries for assistance in ensuring the domestic fuel market and preventing a possible shortage.
According to data from the National Statistical Committee, in the first half of 2026, Uzbekistan imported significantly more natural gas than it exported, with import volumes growing while exports decreased.
Natural gas imported from Russia and Turkmenistan increased by 41.4% compared to the previous year, reaching $971.7 million for the period from January to June. The total amount included $86.3 million in liquefied gas imports, which grew threefold.
During the first half of the year, gas imports fluctuated. After reaching $167.6 million in January, imports fell to $34.6 million in February, and then rose to $158.3 million in March. In April, imports amounted to $147.8 million, rising to $216.4 million in May, and reaching their highest annual value of $247 million in June.
Exports of natural gas from Uzbekistan decreased by 34.4% over this six-month period, totaling $232.9 million. Exports were completely suspended in January and resumed in February at a level of $7.1 million.
In March, exports increased more than fivefold compared to February, reaching $29.4 million. Subsequently, they rose to $92.7 million in April, before falling to $73.5 million in May and $30 million in June.
Data from the National Statistical Committee differs from information published by the General Customs Administration of China. According to Chinese customs statistics, Uzbekistan exported natural gas worth $218.6 million during the period from January to June 2026, which is $14.2 million less than indicated by the Uzbek statistical agency. Chinese data also recorded a decrease in natural gas imports into Uzbekistan.
According to Chinese figures, exports in June amounted to $79.03 million, which is 23.7% less than in the same month last year. Compared to January-June 2025, when exports totaled $368.5 million, natural gas exports decreased by more than 40%.
Uzbekistan is being considered as a potential fuel supplier for Kyrgyzstan. The head of the Kyrgyz cabinet, Adylbek Kasymaliev, stated that the republic is capable of supplying its neighboring country with up to twenty thousand tons of its products monthly.
According to Kasymaliev's information, negotiations took place with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdullah Aripov, regarding this issue. Currently, Kyrgyzstan imports over 90% of the required fuel.
Against the backdrop of reduced purchasing opportunities in Russia, the authorities of Kyrgyzstan are actively seeking alternative partners, among whom Uzbekistan, as well as Belarus, China, and Azerbaijan, are mentioned. However, there is currently no information about the signing of a contract or the approximate timeline for the start of supplies from Uzbekistan.
Previously, an agreement was reached between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on the creation of an Interstate Council and increasing bilateral trade turnover to two billion dollars.
