Asian imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have just recorded their sharpest decline since 2022, amid Middle Eastern conflicts disrupting supply.

Asian imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have just recorded their sharpest decline since 2022, amid Middle Eastern conflicts disrupting supply and driving up energy prices.

According to data compiled by Bloomberg, Asia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports in March 2026 fell sharply, the biggest drop in more than three years, as conflict in the Middle East disrupted supply and drove prices higher.

LNG deliveries to the Asian region last month fell by 8.6% year-on-year to around 20.6 million tonnes. This is the largest drop since December 2022.

China and India saw the sharpest declines in LNG imports this month, falling by around 20%. Pakistan, which is expected to import almost all of its LNG from Qatar by 2025, saw a nearly 70% drop.

Global LNG supplies have been severely impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz causing the world to lose about one-fifth of its total supply and Qatar closing the world's largest plant following Iranian military operations.

Asia is scrambling to find alternative supplies due to disruptions in LNG flows from the Middle East, while shutdowns at Australian gas facilities following last month's storms have exacerbated the situation. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, LNG prices in Asia could rise by 50% due to increasing competition for spot shipments.

Asian customers have secured some shipments from Europe, a region in need of additional LNG to replenish storage facilities following disruptions to pipeline gas supplies from Russia. Shipping data shows that Western European LNG imports increased by approximately 3.5% in March 2026, compared with a 17% increase in February 2026.

Source: Vietnam.vn