Explanation given for the rise in propane prices

Liquefied gas (propane) prices have increased due to a growing share and higher prices of imported products on the market, the Competition Development and Consumer Rights Protection Committee reported.

According to the committee, a total of 358,000 tons of propane were sold on exchange trading platforms in 2025. Of this volume, 61 percent (219,000 tons) accounted for domestically produced propane, while 39 percent was imported.

From January to July, locally produced propane dominated the domestic market, accounting for an average of up to 80 percent. Starting in August, this share gradually declined, falling to 35 percent in December and to around 10 percent during the early period of January.

“The main reason for this is that locally produced propane has been redirected to households and social sector facilities,” the statement said.

The committee noted that, through regulatory measures, the maximum allowable price increase from the starting price was capped at 20 percent (spread), and the purchase limit per trading session was reduced to five tons (previously 10 tons). As a result, the sale price of domestically produced propane did not exceed 7 million soums per ton throughout the year.

At the same time, the price of imported propane has reached up to 8 million soums per ton.

The committee emphasized that the recent rise in propane prices is linked to the price gap between domestic and imported products and the increasing share of imports on the market.

“There is up to a 40 percent difference between the starting price (50 percent) and the sale price (35 percent) of domestic and imported products. However, in recent months, due to the growing share of imported propane and increased demand in the domestic market, average prices in exchange trading have been shaped primarily by imported products. In addition, higher starting prices set by business entities for imported propane have led to the average price of one ton of liquefied gas reaching up to 9.5 million soums today, representing a 20 percent increase compared to December,” the committee said.

According to the committee, vehicles running on propane account for 11 percent nationwide, while liquefied gas represents only about 5 percent of total fuel sales in the domestic market.

The Competition Committee added that, within its authority, it is taking prompt measures to stabilize propane prices in the domestic market and is conducting continuous monitoring of fuel prices at gas filling stations.