Tajikistan has reported an increase in its imports of oil products from Russia, with a rise of over 14% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan shared these details in preparation for a press conference held by Minister Daler Juma.
According to the ministry’s data, Tajikistan imported 65.6 thousand tons more oil products from Russia in the first six months of 2024, marking a 14.3% increase from the previous year. This quantity represents 54% of the indicative balance plan set for the period.
The breakdown of imported oil products is as follows:
- Gasoline: 236.6 thousand tons
- Diesel Fuel: 223.2 thousand tons
- Jet Fuel: 22.7 thousand tons
- Fuel Oil: 62 thousand tons
- Bitumen: 27.9 thousand tons
- Lubricants: 5.4 thousand tons
- Liquefied Gas: 8.2 thousand tons
In total, Tajikistan received 524.2 thousand tons of oil products and liquefied gas from Russia.
Increase in Natural Gas Supplies from Uzbekistan
In addition to the increase in oil product imports, Tajikistan has also expanded its natural gas supplies from neighboring Uzbekistan by more than 50%. During the first half of 2024, Uzbekistan supplied 156.5 mn cubic meters of natural gas to Tajikistan, which is an increase of 57.6 mn cubic meters compared to the same period last year.
Economic Context and Supply Agreements
Minister Daler Juma had previously indicated that Tajikistan had agreed with Russia on an indicative balance of supplies amounting to 970 thousand tons for 2024. He highlighted that these volumes are being adhered to strictly and that imports are expected to rise due to economic growth in Tajikistan. The country’s GDP grew by 8.3% in 2023, contributing to increased demand for energy resources.
Tajikistan and Russia have an intergovernmental agreement on the supply of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, fuel oil, and bitumen mixtures. This agreement includes annual negotiations on indicative balances that align with the growth of Tajikistan’s economy.
Tajikistan produces limited quantities of oil and gas domestically. The country primarily relies on imports for its energy needs:
- Natural Gas: Purchased from Uzbekistan for industrial purposes.
- Liquefied Gas: Imported from Kazakhstan.
In the first half of 2024, Tajikistan imported a total of 783.8 thousand tons of oil products and liquefied gas, reflecting a 10.3% increase or 73.5 thousand tons more than in the first half of 2023.
