Meat price hikes strain household budgets amid widening regional disparities

Data released by the National Statistics Committee indicates that in April, mutton prices rose by 3.7% compared to the previous month, marking a 20.3% increase compared to April 2025. Similarly, beef with bone rose by 3.2% month-on-month (up 16.6% annually), boneless beef increased by 3.2% (up 17.3% annually), and minced meat grew by 2.9% (up 14.1% annually).

An analysis of Central Bank price data as of May 13 reveals stark geographic disparities in retail beef prices across the country. The highest average price for one kilogram of beef was recorded in the capital's Yakkasaroy district at UZS 139,600, while the lowest price was found in Muynak district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan at UZS 94,300. Market variations are even evident between adjacent areas. For instance, in Navoi region, a massive gap of UZS 42,000, or approximately 44%, exists between the neighboring districts of Tamdy, where beef costs UZS 95,500, and Uchkuduk, where it reaches UZS 137,500.

The Fergana Valley

In Namangan region, the average cost of beef stands at UZS 129,400. Within the province, the highest rate was observed in Turakurghon district at UZS 135,000, whereas the city of Namangan offered the most affordable rate at UZS 120,000.

The Fergana region maintains a slightly lower provincial average of UZS 121,700. The remote Sox district registered the lowest local price at UZS 115,000, while the city of Margilan recorded the highest at UZS 133,200.

Andijan region features the most economical averages in the valley, sitting at UZS 119,900. Beef prices in the town of Khanabad dropped to UZS 112,500, contrasting with UZS 130,000 in Andijan city. Across the entire province, nine separate districts managed to keep prices below UZS 120,000.

Tashkent city, Syrdarya, and Tashkent region

The capital city of Tashkent shows an average retail price of UZS 129,100 per kilogram. Consumers found the lowest prices in Bektemir district at UZS 120,700, while Yakkasaroy district topped the urban chart at UZS 139,600.

In the surrounding Tashkent region, beef is cheaper on average at UZS 121,400. The lowest regional price was located in Piskent district at UZS 109,200, whereas Tashkent district saw prices climb to UZS 133,000. Overall, four districts within the province recorded prices below UZS 115,000.

Meanwhile, the Syrdarya region maintains an average cost of UZS 123,300, with prices ranging from UZS 116,200 in the city of Gulistan to UZS 133,900 in Sardoba district.

Jizzakh, Samarkand, Navoiy, and Bukhara

The average price in the Jizzakh region is fixed at UZS 129,600. The city of Jizzakh provides the lowest local option at UZS 118,400, while the resort area of Zaamin recorded the highest at UZS 135,800.

Samarkand exhibits a slightly lower regional average of UZS 125,500. Bulungur district boasts the lowest price at UZS 115,700, while Kattakurghon registered the highest at UZS 134,500.

In Navoi region, where the provincial average sits at UZS 120,600, the market is defined by the unexpected UZS 42,000 price gap between Tamdy at UZS 95,500 and Uchkuduk at UZS 137,500.

Bukhara presents a lower average of UZS 114,500, with prices peaking in Jondor district at UZS 130,000 and hitting a low point in Qorakol at UZS 104,500.

Southern and western regions

Kashkadarya demonstrates relatively stable rates with an average of UZS 115,100. Koson district provides the lowest baseline at UZS 105,200, while the mountainous Dehkonobod district reached UZS 126,300. In neighboring Surkhandarya, the average price is UZS 120,900, spanning from UZS 111,700 in Angor to UZS 132,700 in the regional center of Termez.

In Khorezm, the average price of beef settles at UZS 112,900, where Yangibozor district offers the lowest rate at UZS 107,500 and Gurlan district sees the highest at UZS 119,500.

The Republic of Karakalpakstan boasts the lowest overall average in the country at UZS 104,800. The lowest price nationwide was recorded in Muynak at UZS 94,300, while the highest local price within Karakalpakstan was found in Turtkul at UZS 114,100.