India’s LPG imports increased 14.5% month-on-month in August, as supplies from traditional Gulf producers recovered sharply after disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Despite the rebound, the US remained India’s largest LPG supplier, accounting for more than half of total imports.
LPG imports from Gulf countries nearly doubled in August, lifting their combined share to 29.7% from 16.4% in July. The UAE led the recovery, with shipments to India rising 94.9% month-on-month to 198,860 tonnes. Kuwait’s supplies increased to 114,580 tonnes from 44,230 tonnes, while Qatar shipments climbed to 65,400 tonnes.
US LPG shipments, meanwhile, declined 25.8% from July to 724,150 tonnes, but still represented more than half of India’s August LPG imports. The shift reflects India’s changing sourcing pattern following severe disruptions to Gulf supplies during the West Asia crisis.
India’s LPG consumption also strengthened in August, rising 3.2% month-on-month to 2.42 million tonnes, its highest level in six months. However, consumption remained 16% below the year-earlier level, highlighting continued pressure on the domestic LPG market.
The latest figures indicate that Gulf suppliers are gradually regaining market share, but US cargoes remain critical to India’s LPG supply chain. The diversification has increased the importance of longer-haul LPG trade from the US while reducing the market’s earlier dependence on Gulf suppliers.