Monthly global LNG benchmark price 2022-2025

Global liquefied natural gas prices have shown less volatility in 2024 and 2025 than the years prior, with the benchmark price reaching 13.12 U.S. dollars per million metric British thermal units in March 2025. This figure represents an increase from the same period a year earlier. The global LNG benchmark, which is largely influenced by Asian market trading, particularly Indonesian LNG in Japan, serves as a key indicator for the industry's pricing trends.

Natural gas prices become less volatile

The Asian LNG market experienced less turbulence in 2023 compared to the previous year, with price volatility dropping to 75 percent. This relative stability followed an exceptionally volatile 2022, when LNG demand surged due to sanctions on Russian imports. The global natural gas price index, which encompasses European, Japanese, and American markets, stood at 207.9 index points in November 2024, showing an increase of nearly 20 points that month. This upward trend in natural gas prices contrasts with the comparatively lower crude oil price indices and follows greater heating demand in the winter months.

Landed prices vis-à-vis export prices

Due to its geographical location, Japan is exclusively reliant on LNG trading for its natural gas supply. As such, Japan's landed LNG spot price is often higher than for other markets, reaching approximately 10.05 U.S. dollars per million British thermal units in January 2024. By comparison, the world's largest LNG exporter, the United States, has seen its LNG export prices decrease to 7.57 U.S. dollars per thousand cubic feet in 2023, down from 12.24 U.S. dollars the previous year.