Bitumen Production by Country
Last updated: 2026-09-30
Bitumen Production by Country
Global bitumen production reached approximately 128 million metric tons in 2024, with China, the United States, and India accounting for over 55% of total output. China alone produced an estimated 38 million tons, followed by the US at 22 million tons and India at 9.5 million tons. The remaining supply is spread across Russia, Canada, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, where refinery capacity and crude slates determine output volumes.
Global Bitumen Production Overview
Bitumen (also called asphalt in North America) is a refined residue from crude oil distillation. Production is tightly linked to three factors:
- Refinery capacity for heavy/sour crude
- Domestic infrastructure demand (roads, highways, airports)
- Export orientation (bulk bitumen, bitumen drums, polymer-modified bitumen)
Unlike motor gasoline or diesel, bitumen is not produced on purpose in most refineries. It emerges as the bottom-of-the-barrel fraction when refiners process heavy crude with a high asphaltene content.
| Rank | Country | Production (Million Tons) | Share of Global Output | Primary Export Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 38.0 | 29.7% | Domestic + Southeast Asia |
| 2 | United States | 22.0 | 17.2% | Domestic + Latin America |
| 3 | India | 9.5 | 7.4% | Domestic + South Asia |
| 4 | Russia | 8.2 | 6.4% | CIS, Turkey, Europe |
| 5 | Canada | 6.8 | 5.3% | US Midwest |
| 6 | Iran | 5.4 | 4.2% | Asia, Africa |
| 7 | Saudi Arabia | 4.9 | 3.8% | Middle East, Asia |
| 8 | South Korea | 4.5 | 3.5% | Southeast Asia, Australia |
| 9 | Singapore | 3.8 | 3.0% | Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia |
| 10 | Venezuela | 2.7 | 2.1% | Latin America |
Total Top 10: ~105.8 million tons (82.6% of global supply)
China Leads Global Bitumen Production
China's dominance comes from two structural advantages:
1. Massive refining capacity – over 17 million barrels per day, with a growing share of heavy Middle Eastern and Venezuelan crude slates.
2. State-backed infrastructure spending – roughly 1.8 million km of new roads built since 2010, requiring 5–8% bitumen content by pavement weight.
| Source | Volume (Million Tons) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sinopec refineries | 14.2 | Heavy crude processing |
| PetroChina refineries | 11.5 | Domestic + import blend |
| Independent teapot refineries | 8.8 | Imported Venezuelan/Brazilian crude |
| Blendstock & modified bitumen | 3.5 | SBS, crumb rubber |
| Total | 38.0 |
Key insight: China's bitumen imports from the Middle East and Venezuela dropped 12% in 2024 as domestic refining of heavy crude increased. However, China remains a net importer of premium polymer-modified grades from South Korea and Singapore for high-traffic highways.
Price benchmark: Chinese domestic 60/70 penetration grade traded at $485–$520 per ton (ex-refinery, Shandong) in Q4 2024.
United States, Canada, and North American Supply
North America produces roughly 29 million tons of bitumen annually, but the US depends heavily on Canadian imports for heavy grades.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total production | 22.0 million tons |
| Refinery grade output | 18.5 million tons |
| Modified bitumen (polymer, crumb rubber) | 3.5 million tons |
| Imports from Canada | 6.8 million tons |
| Exports to Latin America | 2.1 million tons |
| Domestic consumption | 26.7 million tons |
Canadian oil sands produce bitumen as a primary product, not a residue. The Alberta oil sands yield ~3.2 million barrels per day of bitumen, of which roughly 1.1 million barrels per day (~6.8 million tons/year) flows to the US via pipelines like Keystone and Enbridge Line 5.
- US Gulf Coast refineries (Texas, Louisiana) process heavy Canadian and Mexican Maya crude, producing PG 64-22 and PG 70-22 grades.
- West Coast refineries (California, Washington) rely on Alaskan North Slope and imported Ecuadorian crude.
- Midwest refineries receive Canadian bitumen directly by pipeline, reducing transport costs to $18–$25 per ton versus $55–$70 per ton for ocean freight.
Price benchmark: US PG 64-22 bulk bitumen averaged $580–$620 per ton (FOB refinery) in 2024, reflecting domestic crude differentials and transport costs.
India, Russia, and the Middle East: Growth Markets
India's bitumen production grew 8.3% year-over-year in 2024, driven by the National Highway Development Program (NHDP) and rural road expansion under PMGSY.
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Production (million tons) | 8.8 | 9.5 |
| Consumption (million tons) | 10.2 | 11.0 |
| Imports (million tons) | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Import source (top) | Iran, UAE | Iran, UAE, South Korea |
Key refineries: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), and Reliance Jamnagar (world's largest refinery complex).
Price: Indian VG-30 bulk bitumen traded at ₹48,000–₹52,000 per ton (~$575–$625) in 2024, including local taxes.
Russia produces 8.2 million tons annually, primarily from Volga-Urals and West Siberian refineries. Exports go to:
- CIS countries (Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan) – 45%
- Turkey – 18%
- Europe (pre-sanctions) – 22% (now redirected to Asia/Africa)
- Asia – 15%
Russian export grade: BND 60/90, BND 90/130, priced at $420–$460 per ton FOB Novorossiysk (2024 average).
| Country | Production (Million Tons) | Export Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Iran | 5.4 | Bandar Abbas, Assaluyeh |
| Saudi Arabia | 4.9 | Ras Tanura, Jubail |
| UAE | 2.1 | Jebel Ali, Fujairah |
| Kuwait | 1.8 | Shuaiba |
| Iraq | 1.3 | Basrah |
Middle East total: ~15.5 million tons (12.1% of global output), with Iran and Saudi Arabia dominating. Iranian bitumen is priced at $380–$430 per ton FOB, often undercutting other suppliers by 10–15%.
Southeast Asia and South Korea: Export-Oriented Producers
South Korea and Singapore are not major crude producers, but they are strategic bitumen exporters because of:
- Deepwater ports for Aframax and Suezmax vessels
- Advanced refining of imported heavy crude (Kuwait, Saudi, Venezuela)
- Proximity to demand centers (Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia)
| Country | Production (Million Tons) | Main Export Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 4.5 | Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, China |
| Singapore | 3.8 | Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia |
| Thailand | 2.2 | CLMV countries, China |
| Indonesia | 1.9 | Domestic, Philippines |
| Malaysia | 1.4 | Domestic, Singapore |
| Vietnam | 0.8 | Domestic, Cambodia |
South Korea exports ~3.2 million tons of bitumen annually, with SK Energy, GS Caltex, and S-Oil as primary producers. Korean 60/70 penetration grade sells at $510–$540 per ton FOB Ulsan.
Singapore is a blending hub: it imports heavy residue from the Middle East and re-exports finished bitumen. Singapore 60/70 grade trades at $520–$550 per ton FOB.
Price comparison table (60/70 penetration grade, 2024 average):
| Origin | Price (USD/ton FOB) | Price (USD/ton CFR Asia) |
|---|---|---|
| Iran | $395 | $430 |
| Saudi Arabia | $440 | $470 |
| South Korea | $525 | $550 |
| Singapore | $535 | $560 |
| China (domestic) | $500 | $520 |
| US Gulf Coast | $610 | $650 |
FAQ: Bitumen Production by Country
Q1: Which country produces the most bitumen?
China is the world's largest bitumen producer, with an estimated 38 million tons in 2024 — nearly 30% of global output. Its production is driven by heavy crude refining capacity and massive domestic road construction programs.
Q2: How much bitumen does the US produce annually?
The United States produces approximately 22 million tons of bitumen per year, but it consumes 26.7 million tons, importing the 6.8 million ton shortfall primarily from Canada. US production relies on heavy crude refining in the Gulf Coast and Midwest.
Q3: What is the price of bitumen per ton in 2024?
Bitumen prices vary by origin and grade. Iranian bitumen trades at $380–$430 per ton FOB, South Korean bitumen at $510–$540 per ton FOB, and US PG 64-22 at $580–$620 per ton FOB. Shipping adds $25–$45 per ton to Asian destinations.
Q4: Which countries export the most bitumen?
South Korea, Singapore, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are the top bitumen exporters. South Korea exports ~3.2 million tons annually, Singapore ~3.5 million tons, and Iran ~4.1 million tons. Their export volumes exceed domestic consumption, making them net suppliers to Asia and Africa.
Q5: How is bitumen production measured?
Bitumen production is measured in metric tons or barrels (1 ton ≈ 6.1–6.4 barrels, depending on density). Industry reports typically use million tons per year (Mtpa) for country-level comparisons and barrels per day (bpd) for refinery throughput analysis.
Closing: Calculate Your Bitumen Cost Instantly
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