Inflation in Uzbekistan Reaches 0.6% in February, 7.3% Year-on-Year

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In February 2026, Uzbekistan’s combined Consumer Price Index (CPI) reached 100.6% compared with the previous month, 101.3% relative to December 2025, and 107.3% year-on-year, the National Statistics Committee reported. For comparison, in February 2025, the figures were 100.5% for the month, 101.3% relative to December 2024, and 110.1% year-on-year.

Excluding changes in fruit and vegetable prices, the CPI in February 2026 was 100.5%, compared with 100.3% in February 2025. From the start of 2026, this measure reached 101.1%, versus 100.7% in January–February 2025. Year-on-year, the index excluding fruit and vegetables was 108.3%, down from 112.0% a year earlier.

Among major food items, several price increases were recorded in February. Lamb rose 2.6% month-on-month and 27.4% year-on-year. Boneless beef increased 1.6% monthly and 24.0% annually, while bone-in beef rose 1.6% and 22.4%, respectively. Poultry prices grew 1.4–1.8% month-on-month and 7.0–7.5% year-on-year. Granulated sugar rose 2.2% over the month but fell 0.6% compared with February 2025. Processed meats increased 0.9–1.0% monthly and 4.8–7.1% annually. Eggs rose 0.7% month-on-month and 14.8% year-on-year, milk 0.4% and 5.8%, flour 0.5% and 1.3%, and vegetable oils 0.4% and 12.8%, respectively.

Some goods saw price decreases. Rice and groats fell 0.9% month-on-month and 14.1% year-on-year. Green tea dropped 0.3% over the month but rose 2.5% year-on-year. Breakfast cereals fell 0.5% monthly and rose 3.0% annually. Caramel decreased 0.3% over the month, rising 2.1% year-on-year, and marmalade dropped 0.2% monthly while increasing 2.9% annually.

Among fruits and vegetables, the most significant monthly increases were recorded for tomatoes (+12.1%), although prices remain 12.5% lower than a year ago. Pumpkin rose 11.7% monthly but remains 57.1% cheaper year-on-year. Potatoes increased 5.0% month-on-month and 2.0% annually, bell peppers +4.2% monthly (still 15.1% below February 2025), apples +4.1% monthly and 12.4% annually, lemons +3.6% monthly and 90.0% annually, and bananas +3.0% monthly and 2.4% annually. Carrots and cabbage rose 1.8% monthly and 8.8% and 10.6% year-on-year, respectively. Conversely, fresh cucumbers fell 13.8% month-on-month and remain 13.0% below last year, tangerines −5.6% monthly (+15.8% year-on-year), oranges −5.4% monthly (+6.8% annually), beets −1.7% monthly (+8.3% annually), and onions −0.9% monthly (3.0% below February 2025).

Amid stable utility tariffs in February, waste collection fees rose in some regions, averaging +4.7% month-on-month and +32.6% year-on-year. Housing rental costs increased 0.5% monthly and 2.3% annually. Maintenance and repair services for residential properties rose 0.4% monthly and 6.2% year-on-year.

Healthcare services also saw increases: outpatient treatment rose 1.1% month-on-month and 6.5% year-on-year; diagnostic imaging and laboratory services +0.8% and 9.3%; inpatient treatment +0.6% and 7.1%; pharmaceuticals and medical products +0.4% and 3.9%, respectively.

Fuel prices showed mixed trends. Average consumer prices for gasoline fell 0.5% month-on-month but remain 10.1% higher year-on-year. AI-92 gasoline decreased 0.5%, AI-95 −0.7%, while AI-98 and AI-100 increased 0.3%. Propane rose 1.9% over the month, with the upper price limit at 8,500 soums per liter, 9.7% higher than February 2025. Methane prices remained nearly unchanged (+0.1% monthly), but are 30.3% higher than a year ago. Vehicle maintenance and repair services rose 0.8% monthly and 6.9% year-on-year.

Long-distance train fares increased by an average 14.0% in February, 14.9% higher than a year ago, while airfares rose 4.4% month-on-month but remain 0.2% lower year-on-year.

In February 2026, the short-term CPI among goods and services ranged from 101.5% for precious metal rings to 99.8% for other household and personal items not classified elsewhere. The annual CPI range was 132.1% for precious metal rings to 100.3% for toothbrushes. No significant regional deviations from national averages were observed for either monthly or annual CPI.

The CPI for goods in February was 100.6% month-on-month, 101.3% year-to-date, and 105.6% year-on-year. For food products, the index reached 100.9%, 101.7%, and 105.9%, respectively. Non-food goods recorded 100.2%, 100.7%, and 105.2%, while services reached 100.6%, 101.4%, and 113.3%.

Food and non-alcoholic beverage price changes had the largest impact on the overall CPI in February, contributing 0.37 percentage points, or 60.7% of the total influence. Price changes in housing, utilities, and transport added 0.11 percentage points, while other categories contributed 0.13 percentage points.

For January–February 2026, food and beverage prices also contributed most to CPI growth, accounting for 53.5% of the total impact. Price increases in insurance and financial services added 0.12 percentage points, while changes in housing, utilities, transport, and household goods and services added 0.25 percentage points collectively.

According to the geometric Young formula, the CPI for February 2026 was 100.6% month-on-month and 101.2% relative to December 2025.