The reason for this is the rise in global oil prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
On March 10, the price of AI-92 gasoline on the Uzbek Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange (UzRTSB) rose to more than 12.72 million soms (91,223.53 soms) per ton, marking an increase of 7.4%. At the same time, sales volume decreased from 3,784 tons on Friday to 1,835 tons on Tuesday.
This sharp price spike coincided with the rise in global oil prices, which last week exceeded $100 per barrel for the first time since summer 2022, although prices later adjusted slightly downward.
Economist Otabek Bakirov emphasized that the increase in global oil prices provides "an excellent excuse for oligarchs and monopolists" to raise prices in the domestic market. He noted that despite the decline in global prices from $80 to $60 per barrel in 2025 (-25%), the price of gasoline in the country increased by 11.9%.
Additionally, the rise in gasoline prices on the exchange occurred against the backdrop of the closure of methane refueling stations across the country. Considering the drop in temperature, the Ministry of Energy imposed temporary restrictions on the operation of CNG stations, but did not specify when they would be lifted.
Starting from October 2024, "Uzbekneftegaz" began to offer AI-92 gasoline on the commodity exchange, the price of which at the Bukhara Oil Refinery exceeded 11.5 million soms (82,474.10 soms) per ton. In August of last year, a record price for AI-92 gasoline was recorded — over 13.3 million soms (95,383.09 soms).
