In 2024, Russia exported a record 33.6 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG), a four percent increase from the previous year, RBC reported on January 28, citing data from the analytics firm Kpler.
The previous record was set in 2022, when Russia exported 32.9 million tons of LNG. December 2024 marked a record for monthly deliveries, with Russia shipping 3.25 million tons of LNG to global markets, a 1.3 percent increase from December 2023’s record of 3.21 million tons.
European countries were the largest buyers of Russian LNG last year, accounting for 52 percent of total exports, or approximately 17.4 million tons — up four percentage points from 2023. France imported 6.3 million tons, followed by Spain (4.8 million tons), Belgium (4.4 million tons), and the Netherlands (1.3 million tons).
Asia accounted for 45 percent of Russia’s LNG exports, or 15.2 million tons, down three percentage points from the previous year. China and Japan were the largest buyers, importing 7 million and 5.7 million tons, respectively.
Smaller shipments went to Turkey (445,000 tons) and Kuwait (220,000 tons), while 336,000 tons were classified as shipped to unknown destinations.
Some E.U. politicians have called for a boycott of Russian LNG exports to Europe. The E.U.’s 14th sanctions package against Russia included a ban on transshipment of Russian LNG through EU ports. Discussions on further restrictions took place during the drafting of the 15th sanctions package, according to Politico, but no additional measures were introduced.
