Uzbekistan exported $1.07 billion worth of gas to China in 2022, the Chinese customs authorities said in a report. Exports in value terms increased by 33.9% compared to 2021 ($799 million).
While, according to the Uzbek Statistics Agency, Uzbekistan exported$910.9 million worth of gas over 12 months. Kyrgyzstan reported about $5.2 million worth of gas imports from Uzbekistan. Thus, most of the Uzbek gas supplies (about $905.7 million) went to China.
However, the statistical data of the Chinese authorities is by 18.2% higher than the Uzbek ones. In particular, if in November Uzbekistan, according to the Agency of Statistics, exported gas worth only $39.6 million, the Chinese side reported imports of Uzbek gas for $114.2 million.
The agency also reported that Uzbekistan did not export gas in December, while China announced imports worth $40.1 million.
Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov underscored in response that China also includesin its statistics the cost of the transit service of Turkmen gas through Uzbekistan.
Among the countries selling gas to China, Turkmenistan is still the leader with $10.25 billion (+51%) worth of supplies.
Russia is second, followed by Myanmar (up 1.3% to $1.43 billion), Kazakhstan (down by 4% to $1.08 billion) and Uzbekistan.
-The Tashkent Times