The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Reuters reported that Russia has nearly doubled its exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, in the period from January to November 2025, reaching 1.016 million metric tons.
According to industry sources cited by Reuters, supplies to Afghanistan and the Central Asian republics now account for around 36% of Russia’s total LPG exports, up from 19% in 2024. Afghanistan is reported to be Russia’s largest buyer in the region.
The sources said that LPG supplies to Afghanistan, including deliveries from Kazrosgaz, a joint venture with Kazakhstan, increased 1.5 times during the first 11 months of the year to 418,000 tons. Traders noted that the increase partially reflects a decline in Iranian LPG supplies, which have been affected by U.S. sanctions.
Reuters added that Russia had to divert LPG supplies from Europe, following restrictions imposed on Russian LPG imports in December 2024 due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The report also highlighted that in July 2025, Russia accepted the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador, becoming the first country to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
This growth in LPG trade underscores Afghanistan’s increasing reliance on regional energy supplies amid ongoing economic and political challenges.
