Inflation in Uzbekistan reached 0.6% in October and 7.8% year-on-year, according to data from the National Statistics Committee.
This represents the lowest annual inflation rate in the past nine years, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.
During October, prices increased for eggs (+4.1%), meat (+1.6-1.7%), milk (+1.2%), and gasoline (+1.5%), while sugar (-3.1%) and rice (-2.5%) saw price declines.
The average price increase since the beginning of the year has reached 5.7%. Compared to the same period last year, inflation rates were higher - 0.8% for the month, 7.7% since the beginning of the year, and 10.2% year-on-year.
The current 7.8% annual inflation rate is the lowest since May 2016, when it was 7.7%, and it remains below the Central Bank’s 2025 inflation forecast of 8%.
Food prices rose by an average of 0.9% in October (compared to 1.1% in September), non-food goods by 0.4% (0.7%), and services by 0.3% (0.8%). Year-on-year, food prices increased by 5.9%, non-food goods by 5.8%, and services by 14.4%.
Among food items, eggs recorded the sharpest monthly increase - 4.1%, though they were 0.4% cheaper than a year ago. Prices for bone-in beef rose by 1.7% (+24.2% year-on-year), boneless beef by 1.6% (+25.3%), mutton by 1.6% (+27.3%), and milk by 1.2% (+7.2%). Vegetable oil prices grew by 0.8% (+26.7%).
Meanwhile, rice and rice groats fell by 2.5% (-17.9%), sugar by 3.1% (-5%), and poultry by 1% (+5.4%).
Among vegetables, tomatoes rose the most - by 61% (-5.3% year-on-year), followed by cucumbers - up 58% (-17.6%) and eggplants - up 11% (-29.9%). In contrast, cabbage became 5.4% cheaper (+24.7%), onions - 5.3% cheaper (+18.9%), and potatoes - 2% cheaper (+17.9%).
In October, several regions saw higher tariffs for waste collection, hot water supply, and heating. Across the country, prices for these services rose by 4.3%, 1.3%, and 2.7%, respectively. Construction materials for home repairs increased by 0.5%.
On a yearly basis, gas prices rose by 39.2%, water supply and sewage by 35.1%, and electricity by 18.8%.
Gasoline prices rose by 1.5% in October and by 7.4% since the start of the year (up 11.7% year-on-year). The price per liter of AI-80 gasoline ranged from UZS 8,400 to 9,700; AI-92 from UZS 10,500 to 13,700; AI-95 and AI-98 from UZS 12,000 to 18,000; and Ai-100 up to UZS 20,500.
According to the statistics committee, AI-92 accounted for over half (54.2%) of all gasoline sales nationwide.
Propane rose by 3.3% (-18% year-on-year), while methane prices increased by 0.1% (+30.5%).
Transport costs also went up: train fares rose by 2.5% (+4% year-on-year), city bus fares by 1.7% (+22.3%), and intercity bus fares by 1.1% (+11.1%). Airline tickets, however, fell by 3.5% (+17.3% year-on-year).
Domestic airfares jumped by 52.4%, driving school courses by 68.9%, and courier and parcel delivery services by 16.8%.
Medicine prices increased by 0.4%, and medical treatment services by 0.2-0.3%. Prices at cafés and restaurants grew by 0.5-0.7%.
Fees for electronic money transfers rose by 2.7% (+8.7% year-on-year), while traditional transfer services became 1.9% cheaper (-4.8%).
The highest annual inflation rates were recorded in Fergana Region (8.6%), the Republic of Karakalpakstan (8.2%), and Syrdarya Region (8%). In Tashkent, the figure stood at 7.7%, close to the national average.
