Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Residents of Uzbekistan sold US$18.9 billion in foreign currency to commercial banks in January–September 2026, 1.2 times more than in the same period of 2025, when sales totalled US$15.3 billion. Foreign currency purchases by individuals reached US$11 billion over the same period, resulting in a positive balance of US$7.9 billion, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan reported.
According to the regulator, the positive balance of transactions between individuals and banks represents an additional source of foreign currency supply on the domestic market.
Foreign currency sales by residents have increased for the third consecutive year. Individuals sold US$11.8 billion to banks in January–September 2024, US$15.3 billion in 2025 and US$18.9 billion in 2026.
Purchases also continued to rise, reaching US$6.9 billion in 2024, US$8.6 billion in 2025 and US$11 billion in 2026. However, sales remained significantly higher than purchases. The positive balance increased from US$4.9 billion in 2024 to US$6.7 billion in 2025 and US$7.9 billion in 2026.
Individuals accounted for US$18.9 billion of the US$43.8 billion in total foreign currency supply on the domestic market, excluding Central Bank transactions. Legal entities and banks contributed US$22.8 billion, while international financial institutions and foreign direct investment accounted for US$2.2 billion.
Of the US$50.4 billion in total foreign currency demand, individuals accounted for US$11 billion and legal entities for US$39.4 billion.
Overall, foreign currency supply on the domestic market increased by 25.3% in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, while demand grew by 17.9%. International money transfers brought US$15.2 billion into the country during the period.
From January to September, the soum traded within a range of 11,765–12,320 soums per US dollar. At the end of September, the exchange rate stood at 11,821 soums, representing a 1.5% appreciation since the beginning of the year.
