Russian LPG Exports to Afghanistan Surge Following EU Sanctions

DID Press: While the European Union has restricted imports of Russian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), new data shows a sharp rise in exports to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, signaling the emergence of alternative markets for Moscow.

Following the EU sanctions on Russian LPG imports, statistics indicate a significant increase in shipments to Afghanistan and Central Asia. This shift marks a notable rerouting of Russia’s energy trade as Moscow seeks alternative markets in response to European restrictions.

Reports indicate that from January to November 2025, Russia exported approximately 1.016 million tons of LPG to Central Asia and Afghanistan, nearly double the volume of the previous year. The share of these markets in Russia’s total LPG exports rose from 19 percent in 2024 to around 36 percent in 2025.

The EU sanctions, implemented in December 2024, imposed restrictions on Russian LPG imports, prompting Moscow to redirect shipments eastward and southward. Afghanistan has emerged as the largest buyer of Russian LPG in the region.Industry sources report that exports to Afghanistan increased by about 1.5 times compared to the same period last year, reaching 418,000 tons.