Private suppliers and sale of gas cylinders in stores. How will the liquefied gas market be reformed?

In Uzbekistan, it is planned to develop proposals for liberalizing prices of liquefied gas for the population by May 1, 2027. This is set out in a draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers In the draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers it is provided for.

The document envisages the gradual liberalization of regulated liquefied gas prices and the expansion of private sector participation in its delivery to the population.

According to the draft, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, together with the Ministry of Energy, must submit proposals for price liberalization to the government by May 1, 2027. In preparing the proposals, the level of development of the liquefied gas market, the results of pilot projects, and the need for social protection of the population must be taken into account.

At the same time, the draft does not set specific deadlines for a full transition to free prices for liquefied gas for all household consumers.

Pilot project with private suppliers

Recall that by a presidential decree of September 12, 2026, a pilot project was scheduled to launch in Andijan region starting October 1.Advertisement on "Gazeta"

Under it, private entrepreneurs are allowed to import liquefied gas and deliver it directly to the population in household cylinders at free prices.

The explanatory materials prepared by the government note that at the initial stage, gas delivery within the regulated system will be preserved. At the same time, private operators may offer consumers additional gas volumes at market prices.

Based on the results of the pilot in Andijan region, the possibility of applying this model in other regions of Uzbekistan will be considered.

Later, the expansion of private companies' participation in the import, storage, and delivery of liquefied gas to the population is planned.

Partial privatization of LPG-Trade is planned

The reforms also cover LPG-Trade, a company established under the joint-stock company "Hududgazta'minot" to organize the purchase of liquefied gas through the exchange and its delivery to household consumers.

According to the government's explanatory materials, it is planned to develop a privatization strategy for LPG-Trade's assets with the involvement of international consulting companies. In particular, the company's regional branches are to be gradually privatized as ready-made business projects.

Gas cylinders will be allowed to be sold in supermarkets

In the future, the current model of supplying the population with liquefied gas is planned to be changed. Currently, consumers mainly receive 20-kilogram cylinders on a set periodic schedule.

Under the new model, citizens will be able to independently choose the supplier, the gas volume, and a convenient time for purchase.

In particular, the possibility of freely selling liquefied gas in household cylinders with a capacity of 5 and 10 kilograms is being considered. Besides home delivery through private operators, they are planned to be available for purchase at retail outlets such as ordinary shops and supermarkets.

The explanatory materials state that the transition to such a model will be carried out gradually, depending on the development of competition and the expansion of private suppliers' activities.

No exact date has been set for when the sale of gas cylinders in retail stores will begin.

Several families living in one household may each receive a separate gas cylinder

A separate clause of the draft concerns the supply of liquefied gas to several families living in a single residential household.

Under the proposal, even if the yard has a single cadastral number, each family may be allowed to receive a separate household gas cylinder. For this, the house must have a separate or shared kitchen, as well as a gas stove that meets technical requirements.

To receive a separate cylinder, the "mahalla seven" (neighborhood commission) and gas supply employees must inspect the household and draw up the relevant certificate.

These changes are proposed to be introduced from November 1, 2026.

Currently, Uzbekistan has about 4 million consumers using household liquefied gas. As part of this reform, the Ministry of Economy and Finance proposed raising the regulated retail price of liquefied gas for the population from 2,000 soums to 5,000 soums per kilogram — a 2.5-fold increase it proposed.

The government explains this by the reduction in domestic production, growing imports, and insufficient delivery volumes.

For needy families, compensation of 3,000 soums is provided for each kilogram of gas purchased, up to 20 kilograms per month. The maximum monthly compensation amount is 60,000 soums.

It is planned to cover the difference between the cost of purchasing gas on the exchange and the state-set price for the population by allocating a subsidy to LPG-Trade from the republican budget.

Recall that ahead of the heating season, in November, a one-time payment of 1 million soums was proposed it was proposedfor more than one million needy families. It is also planned to expand the range of recipients of compensation for electricity, gas, and coal, extend payment deadlines, and raise the base electricity norm for areas without gas to 350 kWh.