U.S. LNG exports jumped by 20% between January and April from a year earlier as buying activity in Europe remained strong amid a cold winter and low gas inventory levels.

U.S. LNG shipments hit a record high for the January-April period of 34.6 million metric tons, according to data from Kpler cited by Reuters columnist Gavin Maguire.

For most of the past winter, European benchmark gas prices were higher than Asian spot LNG prices for delivery into north Asia, attracting more cargoes to European import terminals. Additionally, LNG demand in China and the rest of Asia has been tepid at best, which has helped Europe as competition for cargoes hasn’t been as fierce as in previous years.