BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 5. Uzbekistan's retail
trade turnover reached 251.8 trillion soums (about $21 billion) in
January–June 2026, increasing 20.2 percent compared with the same
period last year.


The figures were released by Uzbekistan's National Statistics
Committee.


According to the committee, the number of commercial enterprises
engaged in retail trade stood at 89,861 as of July 1, 2026.


Meanwhile, wholesale trade turnover totaled 283.3 trillion soums
(around $23.6 billion) during the first six months of the year,
marking a 16.5 percent increase year on year.


As of July 1, Uzbekistan had 56,363 commercial enterprises
operating in the wholesale trade sector.







According to Trend's analysis, Uzbekistan's domestic trade
continued to expand at a robust pace in the first half of 2026,
with combined retail and wholesale turnover exceeding 535 trillion
soums (about $44.7 billion). Retail trade reached 251.8 trillion
soums (about $21 billion), growing 20.2 percent year on year, while
wholesale turnover rose 16.5 percent to 283.3 trillion soums
(around $23.6 billion), indicating resilient household consumption
alongside strengthening business-to-business activity. Although
retail growth moderated slightly from the pace recorded earlier in
the year, it remained well above inflation, suggesting continued
gains in consumer purchasing power and domestic demand.


The latest data also point to the continued expansion of
Uzbekistan's commercial sector. As of July 1, the country had
89,861 retail enterprises and 56,363 wholesale enterprises,
underscoring the depth of its domestic market and the growing scale
of entrepreneurial activity. Together, the two sectors comprised
more than 146,000 commercial businesses, reflecting the increasing
role of private enterprise in supporting trade, employment and
economic growth.


Earlier statistics released by the National Statistics Committee
indicated that small businesses and private entrepreneurs continued
to dominate both the retail and wholesale segments, although the share of large
enterprises has been gradually increasing, signaling the expansion
of organized retail chains and more formalized distribution
networks. This trend is expected to improve logistics efficiency,
strengthen supply chains and enhance market transparency as
Uzbekistan's consumer market continues to mature.


The data also suggest that trade growth is becoming more
geographically diversified. Earlier regional statistics showed
accelerating retail and wholesale activity not only in Tashkent but
also in regions including Navoi, Fergana, Kashkadarya,
Karakalpakstan and Syrdarya, indicating that consumer demand and
commercial activity are spreading beyond the country's traditional
economic centers. Overall, the first-half results reinforce the
view that domestic commerce remains one of the principal drivers of
Uzbekistan's economic expansion, supported by rising incomes,
urbanization, business formalization and ongoing market-oriented
reforms.