In recent days, Tajikistan has seen a reduction in liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices.
While a liter of LNG cost 7.50 somonis a week ago, as of January 7, the price dropped to 7.00 somonis at fueling stations in Dushanbe.
In some regions, such as Khujand, the capital of Sughd province, and Bokhtar, the capital of Khatlon province, the price is 6.90 somonis per liter.
The price drop is attributed to increased LNG imports from Russia.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR), this factor has been instrumental in reducing LNG prices.
Unlike Kazakhstan, which has restrictions on LNG sales, Russia has become a key supplier, stabilizing Tajikistan's LNG market.
However, in late November 2024, Russia faced an LNG shortage, and Gazprom imposed restrictions, leading to supply disruptions and higher prices in Tajikistan.
By mid-2024, LNG prices in the country had surged from 5.80 somonis to 8.30 somonis per liter, a 43.1% increase. The price hike has reportedly resulted from the rising cost of LNG in Kazakhstan, which provides the bulk of Tajikistan's LNG imports.
Notably, more than 60 percent of motor vehicles in the country use LNG as fuel as a cheaper alternative to gasoline and diesel. Tajikistan imports gas primarily from Kazakhstan and Russia, with LNG classified as a socially significant product since 2018, allowing authorities to intervene in cases of excessive price hikes.
