Doha-based GECF said global LNG imports fell by 10 percent (3.62 Mt) year-on-year to 31.50 Mt in April.
According to GECF, this also marks the largest y-o-y monthly decline in global LNG imports ever.
All regions, except the Middle East and Africa (MEA), recorded lower imports, with Asia accounting for the majority of the decline.
For the period January to April 2026, global LNG imports rose by 3 percent (4.36 Mt) y-o-y to 148.80 Mt, supported by stronger imports in Europe and MEA, GECF said.
European LNG imports drop 7.5 percent
In April, Europe’s LNG imports stood at 9.96 Mt, declining by 7.5 percent (0.80 Mt) y-o-y largely reflecting tighter global LNG supply amid the Middle East conflict, according to GECF.
Despite the sharp drop in global exports in March and April, the impact on Europe was relatively limited, as the region is less dependent on LNG from Qatar and the UAE, while imports from the US remained broadly stable, GECF said.
At the country level, Belgium, France, Spain, and the UK recorded the largest declines, while imports increased in Greece, Lithuania, and Turkiye.
For the period January to April 2026, Europe’s LNG imports increased by 6.1 percent (2.89 Mt) y-o-y to 50.45 Mt, GECF said.
Belgium’s LNG imports declined mainly due to lower volumes from Qatar, partly offset by higher imports from Russia and the US.
France saw reduced imports from Nigeria and the United States, as some Nigerian cargoes were redirected to Asia and US cargoes were reallocated within Europe, GECF said.
In Spain, stronger pipeline imports from Algeria and lower US LNG arrivals curbed imports, while the UK recorded a decline as US cargoes were diverted to higher-priced European markets, GECF said.
Conversely, imports increased in Greece and Türkiye on stronger US supply, while Lithuania raised imports to support exports of regasified LNG to Latvia and Poland.
Asian LNG imports fell sharply
GECF said that Asia’s LNG imports fell sharply by 13 percent (2.91 Mt) y-o-y to 19.00 Mt, the lowest monthly imports since April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The weaker LNG imports was attributed to lower LNG supply from Qatar and the UAE due to the Middle East conflict.
GECF said China and South Korea drove the decline in the region’s LNG imports, while imports were also lower in India, Japan, Pakistan, Singapore, and Taiwan.
For the period January to April 2026, Asia’s LNG imports moved slightly lower by 0.4 percent (0.38 Mt) y-o-y to 88.23 Mt.
GECF said China’s LNG imports declined to the lowest level since April 2018, mainly due to reduced supply from Qatar, while ample domestic supply and elevated spot prices limited the need for replacement purchases.
Similarly, South Korea’s imports fell as lower Qatari volumes and a redirection of Australian cargoes to other Asian markets tightened supply.
In India, Pakistan, Singapore, and Taiwan, reduced deliveries from Qatar weighed on imports, with weaker supply from the UAE further affecting India, GECF said.
The decline in India was partly offset by higher imports from Angola, Nigeria, and Oman, while Taiwan increased purchases from the US to
mitigate losses.
Singapore also boosted imports from Australia, Mozambique, and the US to compensate for the shortfall, GECF said.
Latin America and MEA
GECF said that LNG imports in the Latin America and the Caribbean region declined by 17 percent (0.20 Mt) y-o-y to 0.98 Mt, marking the lowest level for the month since 2023.
Argentina, Chile, and Colombia drove the decline, while imports increased in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
For the period January to April 2026, LAC’s LNG imports reached 3.73 Mt, representing a decline of 5.6% (0.22 Mt) y-o-y, GECF said.
The drop in Argentina’s LNG imports was likely due to higher domestic gas production from the Vaca Muerta formation.
In Chile and Colombia, imports declined in April following y-o-y surges in March.
Conversely, higher gas demand supported increased LNG imports in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, GECF said.
On the other hand, LNG imports in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region jumped by 38 percent(0.43 Mt) y-o-y to reach 1.56 Mt.
Egypt remained the main driver of regional growth, due to reduced domestic gas availability.
GECF said the sharp year-on-year decline in Kuwait’s imports observed in March eased significantly in April, supported by the ceasefire in the Middle East conflict.
For the period January to April 2026, MEA’s LNG imports grew sharply by 42 percent (1.60 Mt) y-o-y to 5.37 Mt, GECF said.
LNG exports drop
In April, global LNG exports declined for the second consecutive month, falling by 4.7 percent (1.64 Mt) y-o-y to 33.16 Mt, marking a slower pace of decline compared with March, GECF said.
The decrease was primarily driven by disruptions to LNG transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict.
GECF member countries were the main contributors to the decline, alongside a slowdown in LNG re-exports, partially offset by higher exports from non-GECF countries.
For the period January to April 2026, global LNG exports increased by 4 percent (5.68 Mt) y-o-y to 148.87 Mt, supported mainly by stronger exports from non-GECF countries, GECF said.
The share of non-GECF countries in global LNG exports increased from 56.1 percent in April 2025 to 68.5 percent in April 2026.
In contrast, the shares of GECF member countries and LNG re-exports declined from 43 percent and 0.9 percent to 31.3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.
GECF said the US, Australia, and Russia were the leading LNG exporters during April.
