Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The volume of transactions across the trading platforms of the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange (UZEX) increased by 29% in January–September 2026 compared with the same period last year. More than 1.7 million transactions were concluded during the nine-month period, while the number of newly registered clients exceeded 27,600.
UZEX representatives presented the results for the reporting period at a press conference held at the exchange’s headquarters on 30 October. The event also covered changes to trading mechanisms, the development of digital services and the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies.
Among the main business segments, exhibition and fair trading recorded the most significant growth, with transaction volumes rising by 68%. Exchange trading increased by 31%, while electronic public procurement grew by 32%.
Foreign trade transactions exceeded US$646.6 million during the period, more than tripling year on year.
Agricultural products accounted for the largest share of major transactions on the exchange, at 30%. Fuel and energy products represented 29%, ferrous and non-ferrous metals 22%, chemical and petrochemical products 11%, and construction materials 8%.
A total of 312,800 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was sold through electronic exchange trading during the nine months, up 22.3% from the same period in 2025. In October, the average price per tonne fell from 11.5 million to 10.3 million soums, a decrease of 10%.
Sales of precious metals through exchange trading totalled 9,471.8 kg, including 8,840.9 kg of gold and 630.9 kg of silver. The average exchange price of gold was 1.637 million soums per gram.
In the electronic public procurement segment, savings for budget-funded and corporate customers using the Xarid system reached 6.8 trillion soums.
A key part of the exchange’s digital modernisation was the launch of an updated version of the Xarid public procurement platform. The system features improved search functions across different types of procurement and new tools for analysing prices of goods and services.
Artificial intelligence technologies have also been introduced, enabling users to receive answers to their questions in real time. The updated platform is available at new-xarid.uzex.uz.
UZEX has also launched a centralised procurement mechanism and a specialised electronic platform for the pharmaceutical industry, farma.uzex.uz.
Artificial intelligence has enabled the automated moderation and assessment of advertisements posted by entrepreneurs in electronic and national online stores. According to the exchange, this has accelerated application processing and improved the efficiency of the trading platforms.
The Mobilraqam online auction platform for mobile phone numbers also expanded its operations. Around 5,000 numbers were sold during the reporting period, with individuals accounting for 96% of purchases and legal entities for 4%. Prices ranged from 31,500 to 317.2 million soums.
Mobilraqam’s functionality has been expanded. Registered participants can now select a mobile operator and submit electronic applications to purchase numbers. Individuals and legal entities can also list numbers they own for sale through online auctions or the Tezkor Bitim (Fast Deal) mechanism.
Another area of development has been expanding Uzbek businesses’ access to international futures markets. Under Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 82, dated 27 February 2026, Uzbekistan introduced a regulated mechanism allowing local businesses to participate in international futures trading.
To implement this initiative, UZEX and Singapore-based investment group PhillipCapital established a joint venture, UZEX GLOBAL. It enables local market participants to trade futures contracts for copper, wheat, cotton, oil, gold and other commodities on international exchanges operated by CME Group, ICE, LME, JPX and SGX.
These instruments also allow market participants to manage risks associated with commodity price fluctuations, including through hedging.
UZEX plans to continue developing the national exchange infrastructure, expanding electronic services, improving trading mechanisms and introducing digital solutions. Its priorities also include increasing trading transparency and strengthening international cooperation.
