India's LPG Import Structure and Vulnerability
India is the world's largest importer of LPG. The country consumes approximately 31 million metric tonnes (MMT) annually but domestic production covers only about 13 MMT (roughly 40 percent). The remaining 60 percent — around 18-19 MMT — is imported. Critically, more than 90 percent of these imports historically transited the Strait of Hormuz, with the Middle East (Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia) accounting for around 97 percent of India's LPG import sources. This extreme geographic concentration created the structural vulnerability that the 2026 crisis exposed. Domestic LPG production is limited because Indian refineries are optimised for petrol and diesel output, and a portion of domestically produced LPG is diverted to the petrochemicals industry for higher-margin derivatives.
- India's total LPG consumption: ~31.3 MMT (FY 2024-25).
- Domestic production: ~12.8 MMT (FY 2024-25), roughly 41% of consumption.
- Import dependence: ~59-60% of annual consumption.
- January 2026 data: domestic production 1.158 MMT, imports 2.192 MMT.
- Middle East share of LPG imports: ~97% in 2024.
- Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): targeted LPG access for Below Poverty Line households; 10 crore connections by 2023. Created large, geographically dispersed demand.
● Tracked since March 24, 2026 · last seen March 24, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes