Inflation in Uzbekistan made up 1.23% as of end of September, according to the Statistics Agency under the president. This is slightly lower than the 1.24% recorded in September 2023, but higher than inflation of 1.03% in 2022 and 1.09% in 2021 for the same month.
Year-on-year inflation remains almost unchanged at 10.46%, compared with 10.47% in the previous month. Since the beginning of the year (January-September), consumer prices have risen by an average of 6.77%.
Food prices rose by an average of 1.4% last month, with a yearly increase of 2.4%. Non-food prices grew by 0.8% in September, or 8.4% year-on-year, while the cost of paid services increased by 1.5%, reflecting a 28.7% jump over the year.
The cost of meat continued to grow significantly, with beef prices climbing by 3.1% (compared to 5.3% in August), and mutton by 2.8% (4.9% in August). Since the beginning of the year, beef has become 11.3% more expensive, and mutton has seen an 11.9% rise.
Egg prices rose by another 3% in September, although they have got cheaper by 15.6% over the year. Sunflower oil prices increased by 2.1% (up 0.3% for the year), rice rose by 0.9% (+3%) and flour by 0.3% (-3.9%). Milk prices went up by 0.5% (+4.2%). Sugar prices, however, fell by 0.7% (+3.8%).
Carrots prices rose by 15.6%, aubergines by 13.4%, cucumbers by 19.6%, cabbage by 12.5%, tomatoes by 11.3%, onions by 10.4%. Prices for grapes fell by 22.5%, apples by 11.2% and lemons by 4.3%.
Since the beginning of the year, carrots have become 29% more expensive, though the prices were down 26.8% over the year. Potatoes prices increased by 21.4% (+21.1%), and beetroot by 14%.
The cost of medicines continued to grow, increasing by 1.2−1.9% in September, and showing a 24.7% increase since the beginning of the year.
The price of gas for cars also surged in September. Propane prices increased across all regions of Uzbekistan by 11.5%-18.4%, or by 15.7% on average. This follows an August increase of 10.8%-29.9% (20.2% on average). Over the past 12 months, propane prices have increased by 52.1%.
Methane became 0.5% more expensive for the month (35.8% for the year), while petrol prices increased by 0.2 to 2.4%, or by 0.8% on average (+13.8% for the year).
Rail ticket prices increased by 0.5% on average, with a yearly rise of 45.5%, while air tickets saw a 0.7% increase (+8% for the year).
Theatre ticket prices increased by 3.6% on average in September. Services for printing invitations and postcards rose by 2.4%, and the cost of tourist trips climbed by 1.5%.
From September 2024, tuition fees for fee-paying students at public higher education institutions have been increased by an average of 15.1%. At private universities, tuition fees rose by 0.5% in September. Tutoring services became 4.6% more expensive (17.2% for the year). Educational courses increased in price by 3.8%, and private nursery services rose by 0.8% for the month (11% for the year).
Prices in cafés rose by 2.4% in September (13.4% for the year), while prices at canteens and snack bars increased by 2.3% (+15.3%) and recreation centres by 18.3% over the year.
Hairdressing services increased by 1.2% in September and have risen by 16% over the year.
