Brussels: In the first quarter of 2025, the EU imported £95.3 billion worth of energy products, totaling 176.4 million tonnes. Compared with the first quarter of 2024, the value of imports increased slightly by 0.3%, while the volume decreased by 3.9%, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

According to Emirates News Agency, a closer look at year-on-year developments in the first quarter reveals a decline in both value (-11.9%) and volume (-8.0%) of imported petroleum. This trend contrasts with the sharp increase in both the value (+45.3%) and volume (+12.1%) of imported liquefied natural gas. For natural gas in a gaseous state, while the value rose by 19.0%, the volume saw a decrease of 12.1%.

When comparing monthly averages in the first quarter of 2025 with those from 2024, imports of petroleum oils recorded a decrease of 9.4% in value and 7.1% in volume. In contrast, natural gas imports showed significant variations, with liquefied gas increasing by 55.0% in value and 24.7% in volume, while gas in a gaseous state saw a 6.4% increase in value but a 13.8% drop in volume.

In terms of trade partners, the largest contributors to EU imports of petroleum oils in Q1 2025 were the United States (15.0% of imports in value), Norway (13.5%), and Kazakhstan (12.7%). The United States also led in liquefied natural gas imports, accounting for 50.7% of the total value, followed by Russia (17.0%) and Qatar (10.8%). For natural gas in a gaseous state, more than half was sourced from Norway (52.6%), with Algeria and Russia contributing 19.4% and 11.1%, respectively.