Propane prices drop 18 percent after action against alleged market manipulation

Authorities have provided additional details on the recent sale of liquefied gas products. Measures aimed at stabilizing propane prices have led to a decline in average exchange-traded prices from UZS 9.3 million to UZS 7.8 million, representing an 18 percent decrease.

Investigations suggest that in November–December 2025 and January 2026, coordinated actions potentially violating competition laws were carried out at propane exchange auctions. These actions allegedly included unjustified increases in starting prices and the artificial withholding of product volumes from the market.

In response, antitrust proceedings have been initiated against 92 importing companies across the country:

Karakalpakstan – 5 companies
Andijan region – 7 companies
Bukhara region – 3 companies
Fergana region – 13 companies
Namangan region – 4 companies
Kashkadarya region – 5 companies
Samarkand region – 17 companies
Syrdarya region – 4 companies
Tashkent city – 21 companies
Tashkent region – 1 company
Khorezm region – 12 companies

The Competition Committee emphasized that continuous monitoring is being conducted at fuel filling stations to prevent unjustified increases in retail prices.