Key facts
- China's imports of Russian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) increased by 112.5% in the first five months of 2026 compared to the previous year.
- Total imports reached 657,400 tons during this period.
- May imports alone saw a 91.7% year-on-year increase, totaling 152,200 tons.
- Russian LPG's growing influence is reshaping market dynamics in Northeast and North China.
- A significant price advantage, exacerbated by tariffs on U.S. cargoes, is driving the surge in Russian LPG imports.
China's imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Russia have seen a dramatic increase, with a 112.5% surge in the first five months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to energy information provider JLC. These imports totaled 657,400 tons, indicating a significant shift in the global LPG market.
In May alone, China imported 152,200 tons of Russian LPG, marking a substantial 91.7% year-on-year rise. This trend of increasing imports from Russia has been ongoing since 2020, with projections for 2026 to continue this upward trajectory. The growth is fueled by several factors, including the utilization of border crossings, a notable price advantage for Russian LPG, and the impact of higher tariffs imposed on U.S. cargoes, making Russian supplies increasingly competitive.
The influx of Russian LPG is actively reshaping supply and demand dynamics, particularly in Northeast China and extending into the northern regions. Russia's presence in the Northeast China market has grown from a minor role to a double-digit share, with expectations of further expansion into North China and Shandong province. This strategic pivot by Russia towards Asian markets, coupled with China's expanding import infrastructure and deepening bilateral relations, underpins this market transformation. Experts suggest that Europe's reduced purchases of Russian energy and U.S. import tariff restrictions have further driven Russia to increase its LPG supplies to China, as part of a broader expansion of bilateral economic collaboration between the two nations.