GECF says April LNG imports rise

Last month, global LNG imports increased by 1.19 Mt year-on-year to 35.54 Mt, marking a y-o-y increase for the third consecutive month of annual growth, Doha-based GECF said.

According to GECF, the rise in imports was primarily driven by Europe, and to a lesser extent the MENA region, which together offset weaker imports in Asia Pacific and the Latin America & the Caribbean region.

Despite narrowing price differences between TTF gas and Asian spot LNG, Europe continued to offer higher netbacks for US LNG, supporting increased flows to the region, it said.

From January to April 2025, global LNG imports rose by 3.6 percent (5.04 Mt) y-o-y to 146.8 Mt, with Europe remaining the key driver in terms of increase, GECF said.

European LNG imports continue to surge

In April 2025, Europe’s LNG imports continued to surge, rising by 22 percent (1.90 Mt) y-o-y to 10.73 Mt—marking the fourth consecutive month of annual growth.

GECF said the increase was driven by lower pipeline gas imports, declining domestic gas production, and relatively low storage levels.

The convergence between spot LNG prices in Asia Pacific and Europe also supported sustained US LNG flows into Europe.

At the country level, the rise in imports was led by Spain, Belgium, France, Italy, and the UK.

During the period January to April 2025, Europe’s LNG imports jumped by 22 percent (8.63 Mt) y-o-y to reach 47.7 Mt, GECF said.

In Spain and Italy, the rise in LNG imports was primarily driven by increased gas consumption, reduced pipeline gas imports, and higher demand for pipeline exports to neighbouring European countries.

Italy’s LNG imports were further supported by the start of operations at the Ravenna LNG import terminal.

In Belgium, low underground storage levels boosted gas demand for replenishment, leading to higher LNG imports.

In France, stronger demand for storage injection and increased pipeline exports to neighbouring countries contributed to the uptick in LNG imports.

Similarly, the UK saw higher LNG imports due to a combination of weaker domestic gas production, lower pipeline imports, and rising pipeline gas exports to mainland Europe, GECF said.

Asia Pacific LNG imports drop

GECF said that Asia Pacific’s LNG imports fell by 3.2 percent (0.75 Mt) y-o-y to 22.51 Mt in April, marking a slowdown in the pace of the region’s import decline.

The drop was driven by weaker LNG demand mainly in China, and to a lesser extent in Singapore and Pakistan, which offset higher LNG imports in India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and South Korea.

From January to April 2025, Asia Pacific’s LNG imports fell by 4.5 percent (4.25 Mt) y-o-y to 91.1 Mt.
GECF said the decline in China’s LNG imports was attributed to increased domestic gas production and higher pipeline gas imports.

In Pakistan, a sharp drop in gas consumption curtailed LNG imports, with five cargoes diverted so far in 2025 from its long-term contract with Eni, according to GECF.

An uptick in pipeline gas imports and lower LNG re-exporting activity contributed to the drop in Singapore’s LNG imports.

In contrast, India’s LNG imports rose due to declining domestic gas production and higher gas consumption.

In Indonesia, increased intra-country trade supported the growth in LNG imports.

Stronger gas demand in the power sector boosted Taiwan’s imports, while low LNG storage levels contributed to higher imports in South Korea, GECF said.

Latin America and MENA

LNG imports in the Latin America & the Caribbean region fell sharply by 23 percent (0.34 Mt) y-o-y to 1.18 Mt.

GECF said the weaker LNG imports came mainly from the Dominican Republic, the US Virgin
Islands (USVI), and Colombia.

For the period January to April 2025, LAC’s LNG imports stood at 3.95 Mt, representing a decline of 18 percent (0.88 Mt) y-o-y.

GECF said the decline in LNG imports by the Dominican Republic was attributed to reduced imports from the US.

In the USVI, LNG imports fell due to a drop in re-exports to Puerto Rico, following the start of regular direct shipments from the US.

Furthermore, improved hydro output for electricity generation contributed to lower LNG imports in Colombia, GECF said.

On the other hand, the MENA region’s LNG imports jumped by 58 percent (0.39 Mt) y-o-y to 1.06 Mt, marking the highest level for the month since 2017, GECF said.

From January to April 2025, the MENA region’s LNG imports surged by 101 percent (1.86 Mt) y-o-y to 3.70 Mt.

GECF said Egypt remained the main driver of the region’s LNG import growth, increasing imports to offset lower domestic gas availability.

Meanwhile, Bahrain resumed LNG imports in April for the first time since 2019 due to declining gas production, GECF said.

LNG exports up 6.7 percent

GECF said that global LNG exports reached 35.41 Mt in April, marking a 6.7 percent y-o-y increase (2.21 Mt) and a record high for the month.

The growth was driven primarily by non-GECF countries, which offset weaker exports from GECF member countries and a decline in LNG re-exports.

From January to April 2025, global LNG exports rose by 4.4 perccent (6.15 Mt) y-o-y to 145.87 Mt, again led by non-GECF exporters.

Non-GECF countries maintained their leading position in global LNG exports, increasing their
market share from 51 percent in April 2024 to 55.8 percent in April 2025.

In contrast, GECF member countries’ share declined from 48.4 percent to 43.7 percent, while LNG re-exports dropped slightly from 0.6 percent to 0.5 percent

GECF said that the US, Australia, and Qatar remained the top three LNG exporters during the month.