Two more cotton clusters in Uzbekistan investigated for price manipulation

According to the Committee’s press office, its division in the Syrdarya region flagged White Gold Klaster for circumventing regulations by selling cotton fiber and technical seeds through direct contracts, bypassing mandatory exchange trading for high-demand and monopolistic goods.

The investigation revealed that the company sold 5,150 tons of cotton fiber valued at over 90 billion UZS, along with 1,114 tons of seeds worth 3 billion UZS, all through non-exchange sales. A special commission has since launched a case against White Gold Klaster for violating Article 29 of the Law on Competition. Following the inquiry, measures were imposed to ensure compliance and rectify the infractions.

Just prior to this, the Competition Committee had disclosed findings on Midasiatex, a cotton company based in Karakalpakstan. Midasiatex was found to have sold 185.9 tons of cotton fiber through direct contracts during the first half of this year, rather than through regulated exchange trading. Although the agency did not specify the amount earned from these transactions, a case has been opened for breaching the competition law.