Asian LNG imports recovered to 21.83 million tonnes in June 2026.
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) market in Asia is seeing a recovery in volume after a period of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, with increased purchases from key markets such as Japan and China.
Demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Asia is showing positive signs of recovery after a period of supply disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions. According to data from commodity analytics firm Kpler, LNG arrivals at Asian ports in June 2026 are expected to reach 21.83 million tons, the highest level in five months and surpassing the 21.55 million tons of the same period last year.
Price movements and the rebound of major markets
Previously, the region's LNG imports had fallen to 18.74 million tonnes in April 2026, marking a six-year low due to disruptions to exports from Qatar via the Strait of Hormuz. This temporary supply shortage pushed spot LNG prices in Northeast Asia (LNG-AS) to $25.3/mmBtu by the end of March 2026, representing a 143% increase from pre-conflict levels.
As of the week ending June 5th, LNG prices had adjusted to $18.8/mmBtu after reaching $16.05/mmBtu in mid-April. This fluctuation coincided with increased import volumes in China. Kpler forecasts China's LNG imports in June 2026 to reach 4.48 million tons, maintaining a high level compared to the 3.63 million tons recorded in April.
Japan leads the region in import volume.
Japan currently holds the position of the largest importer, with projected volumes reaching 5.33 million tons in June 2026, the highest level in the past three months. Conversely, South Korea – the world's third-largest LNG importer – is showing a slight contraction in demand, with forecasts of 3.26 million tons, lower than the 3.48 million tons of the same period in 2025.
South Asia is diversifying its supply sources to compensate for shortages.
South Asian countries, a group directly affected by supply disruptions from Qatar, are gradually adapting by seeking alternative partners. India is expected to import 2.09 million tonnes in June 2026, recovering from 1.67 million tonnes in March thanks to increased purchases from Angola, Nigeria, and the US.
In Pakistan, although import volumes for June 2026 are projected to reach only 210,000 tons, still lower than the 620,000 tons of the previous year, it represents a significant improvement compared to the 70,000 tons in April. Currently, some cargo ships from Qatar have resumed operations through the Strait of Hormuz, helping to alleviate energy pressure on the country.
Shifting LNG flows away from the US.
LNG flows from the US to Asia are showing signs of slowing down after a period of record highs. Exports from the US to Asia are projected to reach 2.73 million tons in June 2026, down from 4.07 million tons in May. Instead, supply from the US is trending back towards the European market, with an estimated volume of 4.99 million tons in June.
Overall, the Asian LNG market is developing a self-regulating mechanism through diversification of supply sources and changes in trade routes. However, experts from Kpler note that prices remain high and the risk of disruption persists if regional tensions in the Middle East do not ease soon.
