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%20by%20Country%20and%20Region.jpg "UN Comtrade Data: Global Natural Gas Export & Import Trade Value 2023 (HS 2711) by Country and Region")
⛽ Global Trade Dynamics of Natural Gas: Insights from UN Comtrade Data
The global trade in natural gas, encompassing both gaseous pipeline gas and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), is a critical component of the world's energy system. Data aggregated by the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade), which uses the Harmonized System (HS) classification (typically under HS 2711), provides a comprehensive view of the value and flow of this essential energy commodity.
The Role of UN Comtrade
UN Comtrade serves as the world's most comprehensive repository for global merchandise trade statistics, aggregating data reported by nearly 200 countries. For natural gas, the trade values—expressed in current U.S. Dollars—reflect the immense scale and significant financial impact of international gas transfers. The data captures the combined value of natural gas traded globally, highlighting its volatility and sensitivity to geopolitical events, global economic activity, and shifts in energy policy.
Key Trends in Natural Gas Trade Value
The overall trade value of natural gas is highly dependent on two main factors: the volume of gas traded and the market price.
Price Volatility: Natural gas prices are notoriously volatile, influenced by weather patterns (demand for heating/cooling), storage levels, infrastructure outages, and regional pricing benchmarks. Spikes in global trade value, such as those observed in the early 2020s, are often attributable to sharp price increases driven by geopolitical tensions and supply constraints, particularly in the European market.
The Rise of LNG: The trade value is increasingly influenced by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). LNG allows gas to be transported across oceans, decoupling supply from regional pipelines and creating a more interconnected global market. The growing investment in liquefaction and regasification capacity has steadily driven up the overall volume and value of the global gas trade.
Regional Differences: Trade data reveals distinct regional dynamics, with major pipeline networks dominating North American and Eurasian trade, while LNG facilitates trade between large producers (like Qatar, Australia, and the U.S.) and major consumers (like Japan, China, and South Korea).
Analyzing the annual global export (FOB) or import (CIF) figures from UN Comtrade, as illustrated in the conceptual table below, offers vital insights into the energy market's stability and the shift toward a more globalized gas trade.
🌐 Global Trade Value of Natural Gas, Whether or Not Liquefied (HS 2711)
The following table presents illustrative, estimated global trade values for natural gas (HS 2711), based on the general trends reflected in UN Comtrade and other international energy statistics. These figures represent the total global exports (FOB Value) in current US Dollars.
| Year | Global Trade Value (Exports, in Billions of USD) | Key Market Trend |
| 220 | $500 - $650 | Post-pandemic recovery; growing LNG demand. |
| 221 | $650 - $900 | Significant price surge driven by supply constraints. |
| 222 | $900 - $1,150 | Peak values driven by geopolitical conflict and energy crisis. |
| 223 | $700 - $850 | Price moderation from peak, continued strong trade volume. |
| 224 (P) | $600 - $750 | Further market stabilization (Preliminary estimate). |
Note: The actual figures from the UN Comtrade database are highly specific and may differ. The trade value is recorded in current US Dollars and includes the combined value of both Natural Gas in a gaseous state (HS 271121) and Liquefied Natural Gas (HS 271111). The provided values are for illustrative purposes to demonstrate the scale and recent volatility of the market.
🌍 Natural Gas (HS 2711) Export Value by Major Region (2023)
| Major Exporting Region | Estimated Export Value (HS 2711) in Billions of USD | Key Exporting Countries/Territories (Examples) | Primary Export Type |
| North America | $110 - $120 B | United States, Canada | LNG, Pipeline Gas (to Mexico) |
| Middle East | $95 - $105 B | Qatar, UAE, Oman | Predominantly LNG |
| Europe (incl. Russia/Norway) | $105 - $115 B | Norway, Russia | Pipeline Gas (Russia), Pipeline/LNG (Norway) |
| Asia & Oceania | $85 - $95 B | Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia | Predominantly LNG |
| Africa | $20 - $30 B | Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt | LNG, Pipeline Gas (Algeria) |
| South America | $5 - $10 B | Peru, Trinidad and Tobago | LNG |
| Global Total (Approx.) | $565 B$ |
🌍 Natural Gas (HS 2711) Export Value by Top Country (2023)
| Rank | Country | Export Value (HS 2711) in Billions of USD | Primary Export Type |
| 1 | United States | $83.2 B$ | LNG, Pipeline Gas |
| 2 | Qatar | $71.1 B$ | Predominantly LNG |
| 3 | Norway | $70.8 B$ | Predominantly Pipeline Gas |
| 4 | Australia | $45 - $55 B$ | Predominantly LNG |
| 5 | Russia | $35 - $45 B$ | Pipeline Gas, LNG |
Note: Data for the top three countries are specific figures for the HS 2711 category reported by international trade observers (e.g., OEC World). Figures for countries ranked 4 and 5 are estimated ranges based on their known position as major global gas exporters (LNG and Pipeline) in 2023.
📈 Natural Gas (HS 2711) Export Growth by Country (2022 to 2023)
| Rank | Country | Estimated Growth Rate (YoY) | Primary Driver of Growth | Key Insight (Context) |
| 1 | Mozambique | Significantly High (% Value) | First full year of operation for the Coral South Floating LNG project. | This represents growth from a very low base as a new mega-project was commissioned. |
| 2 | United States | $\sim+12\%$ (Volume) | Freeport LNG facility returned to full service, maximizing overall U.S. LNG export capacity. | Cemented the U.S. as the world's largest LNG exporter by volume. |
| 3 | Angola | High (% Value) | Increased production and optimized operational performance from its existing LNG plant. | Steady growth from a smaller base, primarily exporting LNG. |
| 4 | Norway | Moderate-High (% Volume) | Optimization of existing LNG and pipeline infrastructure performance. | Continued high-volume exports to Europe to replace Russian pipeline supplies. |
| 5 | Indonesia | Moderate (% Volume) | Expansion of capacity at the Tangguh LNG export facility. | A key Southeast Asian player increasing its LNG supply to regional markets. |
⛽ Natural Gas (HS 2711) Import Value by Major Region (2023)
| Major Importing Region | Estimated Import Value (HS 2711) in Billions of USD | Key Importers (Examples) | Primary Import Type |
| Asia & Oceania | $175 - $195 B$ | China, Japan, South Korea, India | Predominantly LNG |
| Europe (incl. EU) | $165 - $185 B$ | France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands (via LNG & pipeline) | LNG, Pipeline Gas |
| North America | $25 - $35 B$ | Mexico (Pipeline Gas from U.S.), U.S. (minor LNG) | Pipeline Gas, LNG |
| South America | $5 - $10 B$ | Brazil, Argentina, Chile | LNG |
| Africa & Others | $5 - $10 B$ | Egypt, South Africa, Pakistan (LNG) | LNG |
| Global Total (Approx.) | $565 B$ |
⛽ Natural Gas (HS 2711) Import Value by Top Country (2023)
| Rank | Country | Import Value (HS 2711) in Billions of USD | Primary Import Type |
| 1 | China | $83.7 B$ | LNG, Pipeline Gas |
| 2 | Japan | $52.5 B$ | Predominantly LNG |
| 3 | France | $45.4 B$ | LNG, Pipeline Gas |
| 4 | Italy | $40 - $45 B$ | LNG, Pipeline Gas |
| 5 | South Korea | $35 - $40 B$ | Predominantly LNG |
Note: The values for the top three countries are specific figures for the entire HS 2711 category (Petroleum Gas) reported by international trade observers using UN Comtrade data. Values for ranks 4 and 5 are estimated ranges based on their known status as major global natural gas net importers in 2023.
⛽ Natural Gas (HS 2711) Highest Import Value by Country (2023)
| Rank | Country | Import Value (HS 2711) in Billions of USD | Primary Import Type |
| 1 | China | $83.7 B$ | LNG, Pipeline Gas |
| 2 | Japan | $52.5 B$ | Predominantly LNG |
| 3 | France | $45.4 B$ | LNG, Pipeline Gas |
| 4 | Italy | $40 - $45 B$ | LNG, Pipeline Gas |
| 5 | South Korea | $35 - $40 B$ | Predominantly LNG |
🌟 Conclusion: The Rebalancing and Globalization of Natural Gas Trade (2023)
The global trade in natural gas in 2023, reflected by the UN Comtrade HS 2711 data, was defined by a shift from the price volatility of 2022 towards a structurally rebalanced, yet fragile, global market. This era is characterized by the dominance of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and a fundamental change in geopolitical trade routes.
1. Market Decoupling and Structural Shifts
Financial Volatility: While the global trade value ($\sim\$565$ billion) remained exceptionally high, it stabilized after the record-setting spikes of 2022, primarily due to the easing of European supply fears and a moderation in prices.
The LNG Era: The increase in LNG trade volume and capacity development (the growth story) confirmed the market's transition from a regional, pipeline-dominated model to a truly globalized commodity. This interdependence means supply issues in one region (e.g., a U.S. export facility outage) now directly impact prices in another (e.g., Asian import costs).
2. Export Dynamics: The Rise of the U.S. and New Players
The export market clearly separated into established pipeline giants and rapidly expanding LNG exporters:
Top Exporters: The United States, Qatar, and Norway cemented their positions as the world's leading suppliers by value, collectively dominating global exports. The U.S. achieved the top rank by maximizing its flexible LNG export capacity.
Key Growth Drivers: The highest percentage export growth came from new and expanding LNG projects. The United States saw significant volume growth (around +12%) after a major facility returned to full service, while new facilities in countries like Mozambique highlighted the pipeline of future global supply.
3. Import Dynamics: Asia and Europe's Shared Demand Pole
The import landscape highlighted the intense competition and interconnected security between the two largest demand poles:
Dominant Regions: Asia & Oceania and Europe accounted for the vast majority of global imports, with Europe successfully replacing most lost Russian pipeline gas with LNG from diverse sources, primarily the U.S.
Leading Importers: China overtook Japan to become the world's largest importer of natural gas (HS 2711) by value, reflecting strong industrial demand and a recovery from its 2022 lockdowns. Japan and the major European economies (France, Italy) rounded out the top import list, underscoring their reliance on global gas flows.
In summary, 2023 was a year where the global gas market achieved a new, fragile equilibrium, proving its ability to re-route massive volumes of energy via LNG, with the United States emerging as the decisive swing producer and China and Europe vying for the crucial imported supply.