China and India, the world’s two largest importers of liquefied natural gas, recorded the steepest declines in LNG volumes during the 2025 calendar year, according to data from the International Gas Union (IGU).
China’s imports fell by 8.9 million tonnes, while India’s dropped by 1.5 million tonnes, marking a notable contraction in demand from the region that has historically driven global LNG growth.
The reduction in Asian demand comes as both nations navigate shifting energy mixes and domestic production strategies.
For global gas markets, the data suggests a potential easing of the tight supply-demand balance that has characterized recent years.
Traders are likely to view the figures as a moderating force on spot prices, particularly as the market adjusts to lower absorption rates from key Asian hubs.
This development contrasts with earlier trends where India significantly accelerated its LNG purchases, notably doubling imports from the United States in May 2026.