KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Russia’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan have surged following the European Union’s ban on Russian energy, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
According to the agency, Russian LPG exports to Afghanistan rose by 52% to 71,000 metric tons in the first two months of 2025.
The increase is part of a broader 80% jump in Russian LPG exports to Afghanistan and Central Asia, totaling 140,000 metric tons.
The EU’s sanctions, which took effect on December 20, 2024, were proposed by Poland, one of Russia’s largest LPG importers.
Afghanistan relies heavily on LPG for cooking, heating, and transport. The country has no significant domestic production and depends entirely on imports. Annual LPG demand in Afghanistan is estimated at 700,000 tons.
Russia has become a key supplier of fuel to Afghanistan. In January 2025, the Taliban purchased 10,000 tons of gas condensate from Russia. Trade between Afghanistan and Russia reached $174 million in the first eight months of the current solar year.
Logistics and payment methods remain a challenge. Afghan traders often pay in cash, making transactions difficult for Russian suppliers. Security and infrastructure issues also impact deliveries.
Despite the challenges, Russian LPG exports to Afghanistan are expected to rise further as Moscow seeks alternative markets.
