Global LNG trade record 2025

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade reached a record high in 2025, rising 6.3% to 436.98 million metric tons, the fastest growth since 2022, according to the International Gas Union (IGU). Strong U.S. exports and increased European imports offset weaker Asian demand. Europe's imports surged by 26.1 million tons to 126.2 million tons as it replenished inventories and replaced lower Russian pipeline gas flows. Asia-Pacific remained the largest importing region at 168.7 million tons, but imports fell 9.2 million tons due to lower demand in China and India. China, the world's largest LNG importer, saw imports drop 8.9 million tons to 69.77 million tons, while Japan imported 67.37 million tons and South Korea increased imports to 48.67 million tons. The U.S. remained the top exporter with 110.74 million tons, followed by Qatar (81.51 million tons) and Australia (80.32 million tons). The IGU warned that conflict in the Middle East has damaged LNG infrastructure, clouded expansion projects, and exposed Asian buyers to price and supply uncertainty, potentially leading to a contraction in 2026.