BAKU, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan's natural gas exports rose 6.1 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, while crude oil and petroleum product shipments fell 15.5 percent, local media reported Thursday.
The country exported 6.26 billion cubic meters of natural gas in January-March, worth 1.88 billion U.S. dollars, according to customs data.
Despite the increase in export volume, the value of gas exports dropped 14.6 percent, reflecting lower prices.
Exports of crude oil and petroleum products derived from bituminous minerals totaled about 5.1 million tonnes in the first quarter, worth 2.5 billion dollars, seeing a 25.1 percent year-on-year decline in value and a 15.5 percent drop in volume.
Combined, the two commodity groups accounted for more than 81 percent of Azerbaijan's total exports in the first quarter, with crude oil and petroleum products making up 46.29 percent and natural gas 34.86 percent.
Azerbaijan is a key energy exporter in the South Caucasus, with natural gas shipments mainly directed to European markets via the Southern Gas Corridor. ■
