MOSCOW, Jan 16 Reuters Poland, the largest importer of Russian liquefied petroleum gas LPG, is set to cut its purchases this year by around 80 due to Western sanctions on Moscow over Ukraine, the Polish LPG association POGP said.

In volume terms, POGP expects imports from Russia to fall to around 20,000 metric tons per month this year from 100,000 tons a month on average in 2024, following the implementation of European sanctions on Russian LPG on Dec. 20.

The sanctions excluded some types of LPG, such as butane and isobutane, which are mainly used as a feedstock for production of other petrochemicals. Other types of LPG are mainly as fuel for cars and heating.

To make up for the shortfall, POGP said it expects Poland to increase LPG imports via its ports and via trucks from countries including Germany and the Netherlands.

LSEG shiptracking data showed Poland had already increased seaborne LPG imports in 2024 by 5 to 1.14 million tons, as it anticipated the sanctions.

Supplies from the United States and Britain also increased significantly, while seaborne imports from Sweden declined.

Reporting by Reuters; editing by Barbara Lewis

Source Reuters