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US LNG Exports Rise 20% YoY in April, Europe Remains Top Destination

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The US recorded net natural gas exports of 584.4 billion cubic feet in April 2026, as robust liquefied natural gas shipments and sustained pipeline deliveries to Mexico offset rising imports from Canada, the Department of Energy said in a report on Thursday.

Total US natural gas exports reached 807.5 Bcf in April, while imports stood at 223.1 Bcf. LNG remained the dominant export channel, accounting for 537.9 Bcf, or 66.6% of total exports, shipped to 35 countries.

The DoE said Europe remained the largest destination for US LNG shipments, receiving 293.7 Bcf, or 54.6% of total exports, followed by Asia with 163.1 Bcf, Africa with 57.9 Bcf, Latin America and the Caribbean at 23.3 Bcf, or 4.3%.

Overall, LNG volumes fell 6.2% from March but rose 20% compared with April 2025, with 90.6% of cargoes going to non-free-trade-agreement markets.

Egypt emerged as the largest individual buyer of US LNG in April, importing 57 Bcf, followed by the Netherlands with 54.1 Bcf, Italy with 52.3 Bcf, France with 46.5 Bcf and India with 39.9 Bcf. Together, the DoE said the top five destinations accounted for 46.4% of total US LNG exports.

Pipeline exports to Mexico remained a key component of the US natural gas trade. The US exported 194.2 Bcf of natural gas to Mexico during the month while importing less than 0.1 Bcf, resulting in net exports of 194.2 Bcf.

The DoE said that trade flows with Canada moved in the opposite direction. The US exported 75.4 Bcf of natural gas to Canada but imported 222.9 Bcf, resulting in net imports of 147.5 Bcf.

The department said imports from Canada increased 16.7% compared with March but were down 11.8% from April 2025.

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