RoydadNaft –  Russia has nearly doubled its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports to former Soviet republics in Central Asia and Afghanistan in the first 11 months of the year, reaching 1.016 million metric tons, according to industry sources who spoke to Reuters on Friday.

The redirection of LPG supplies—primarily propane and butane—comes as Russia has been forced to find new markets after the European Union imposed restrictions on Russian LPG imports in December 2024, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine.

LPG is widely used as automotive fuel, for heating, and as a feedstock in petrochemical production.

Traders noted that shipments to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan now make up about 36% of Russia’s total LPG exports, a significant jump from 19% in the previous year.

Afghanistan has emerged as Russia’s top buyer in the region. In July, Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government by accepting the credentials of its new ambassador.

Sources said Russian LPG deliveries to Afghanistan, including those from KazRosGaz—a joint venture with Kazakhstan—rose 1.5 times over the January-November period to 418,000 tons.

The increase in Russian supplies to Afghanistan has partly come at the expense of Iran, whose exports have declined amid ongoing U.S. sanctions, traders added.