China is playing a bigger role in the global helium trade as Russian supply finds alternative routes to market amid Western sanctions, according to AKAP Energy’s Anish Kapadia.
Kapadia told delegates at gasworld’s Specialty Gas Summit in Frankfurt last week that China has become a key middle-man in helium flows by importing more helium than it consumes and re-exporting volumes into international markets.
Russia is unable to directly export helium into Europe due to sanctions imposed following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“And those sanctions also prevent some other countries who are worried about breaching European sanctions or US sanctions from buying Russian helium,” he explained.
As a result, China has turned into “quite an interesting conduit”, importing increasing volumes of helium, including lower-cost Russian supply, before re-exporting helium into other markets, including Europe.
The sanctions on Russia extend to a on the sale of LNG tankers to the country, in line with curbs on oil tankers introduced in 2023.
Russian helium exports to China averaged 38 million cubic feet (mmcf) per month in 2025, up 60% year-on-year, while December volumes reached 71 mmcf, suggesting a substantial ramp-up from the Amur project.
The increase reflects by Russia to deepen trade and energy ties with countries across the Global South as Western sanctions continue to reshape traditional export routes.
“[China has been] importing actually more than it needs, because it’s importing cheap Russian helium and then re-exporting other forms of helium,” said Kapadia.
Anish Kapadia speaking at gasworld’s Specialty Gas Summit
China is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing helium markets, with demand driven by semiconductors, electronics and advanced manufacturing.
The country relies on imports for around 85% of its helium requirements, with Qatar supplying 54% of volumes last year.
Last , Tom Deng, President of G-gas, speaking at gasworld’s Helium Super Summit, said Russian helium accounted for 40% of China’s imports due to its aggressive low-price strategy over the previous two years.
As China assumes a larger role in global helium flows, it is also seeking to strengthen domestic supply. In response to Gulf supply cuts, the country announced plans to add 250 million standard cubic feet a year of domestic helium production capacity.
“There’s a lot of growth in China overall, and we think that’s going to translate into the market.”
The shift comes as hopes grow for a resumption of Qatari helium exports following a framework agreement between the US and Iran to the Strait of Hormuz.
While shipping companies have warned that mine-clearance operations and vessel backlogs could take weeks or months to resolve, a reopening of the waterway could eventually restore a key source of helium supply into Asia, including China.
