Indonesia Bitumen Import Demand
Last updated: 2026-09-30
Indonesia imported approximately 3.8 million metric tons of bitumen in 2024, making it Southeast Asia's largest bitumen importer. Demand is projected to grow 6–8% annually through 2027, driven by the Rp 460 trillion ($29 billion) Nusantara capital project and national road rehabilitation programs. The country relies on imports for over 70% of its bitumen consumption, as domestic refinery output from Pertamina covers only about 30%.
Indonesia Bitumen Import Demand: Key Data at a Glance
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (Forecast) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import volume (million tons) | 3.1 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
| Import value (USD billion) | 1.65 | 1.92 | 2.05 | 2.25 |
| Domestic production (million tons) | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| Import dependency (%) | 69% | 70% | 70% | 71% |
| Average CIF price (USD/ton) | 532 | 549 | 539 | ~550 |
The 2024 average CIF price of $539/ton reflects a slight softening from 2023 peaks, but tight regional supply and the rupiah's volatility keep landed costs in Indonesia among the highest in ASEAN.
Why Indonesia's Bitumen Import Demand Keeps Rising
Three structural forces drive demand:
- Infrastructure budget expansion: The Ministry of Public Works allocated Rp 147 trillion ($9.3 billion) to road and bridge construction in 2025, up 12% year-on-year.
- Nusantara (IKN) capital development: Phase 1 alone requires an estimated 1.2 million tons of bitumen through 2027 for access roads, toll segments, and airport runways.
- Refinery limitations: Pertamina's domestic bitumen output is capped at roughly 1.6 million tons/year because its crude slate and coker configurations favor fuel products over asphalt-grade residue.
| Country | Bitumen imports (million tons) | Import dependency | Main suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 3.8 | 70% | Singapore, South Korea, Iran, UAE |
| Vietnam | 2.1 | 85% | South Korea, Singapore, Thailand |
| Philippines | 1.3 | 90% | South Korea, Singapore, China |
| Thailand | 0.9 | 40% | Iran, Singapore, UAE |
| Malaysia | 0.7 | 35% | Iran, Singapore, Iraq |
Indonesia's volume is 81% larger than Vietnam's and nearly 3x the Philippines', making it the anchor market for regional exporters. For a broader view of how exporting countries position themselves, see our guide on [bitumen export](/bitumen-export).
Top Suppliers of Bitumen to Indonesia
| Supplier country | 2024 volume (tons) | Market share | Typical grade | Typical CIF price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 1,180,000 | 31% | Pen 60/70 | 535–555 |
| South Korea | 950,000 | 25% | Pen 60/70, PG 64-22 | 545–570 |
| Iran | 760,000 | 20% | Pen 60/70, Pen 40/50 | 470–500 |
| UAE | 420,000 | 11% | Pen 60/70 | 525–545 |
| Others (Thailand, Malaysia, China) | 490,000 | 13% | Various | 520–560 |
- Singapore remains the dominant supplier thanks to short shipping times (3–5 days to Jakarta or Surabaya) and consistent quality from Shell and ExxonMobil refineries.
- South Korean material commands a slight premium but wins on specification reliability for toll-road projects requiring PG-graded binders.
- Iranian bitumen offers the lowest price point, but buyers face payment-channel friction and longer transit (14–21 days), which affects working-capital planning. For a full breakdown of Iranian supply dynamics, see our analysis of the Iran bitumen market.
| Origin | FOB price (USD/ton) | Freight (USD/ton) | Insurance + duties (USD/ton) | Landed cost (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 510 | 22 | 8 | 540 |
| South Korea | 525 | 28 | 8 | 561 |
| Iran | 455 | 38 | 9 | 502 |
| UAE | 500 | 30 | 8 | 538 |
Iranian bitumen lands roughly $38/ton cheaper than Singaporean material, a 7% cost advantage that matters on large-volume tenders — provided the buyer can manage LC and shipping risk. Click here to explore [Iran bitumen export](/iran-bitumen-export) structures.
Demand Drivers and Application Segments
| Segment | Share of 2024 demand | Volume (tons) | Growth outlook (2025–2027) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National & toll roads | 46% | 1,748,000 | +7%/year |
| Provincial/municipal roads | 24% | 912,000 | +5%/year |
| Nusantara (IKN) projects | 12% | 456,000 | +25%/year |
| Airports & ports | 8% | 304,000 | +6%/year |
| Industrial/roofing | 10% | 380,000 | +3%/year |
Key demand notes:
- Toll-road operators (Jasa Marga and regional BUJTs) consume Pen 60/70 almost exclusively; specification compliance is non-negotiable.
- IKN construction is pulling forward demand for polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), with imports of PMB rising 18% year-on-year in 2024.
- Roofing and industrial applications absorb lower-grade material, creating a secondary market for Pen 40/50 and oxidized grades.
Logistics, Lead Times, and Cost Factors
| Route | Transit time (days) | Port of discharge | Typical parcel size (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore → Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) | 3–5 | Tanjung Priok | 2,000–5,000 |
| South Korea → Surabaya | 9–12 | Tanjung Perak | 3,000–8,000 |
| Iran (Bandar Abbas) → Jakarta | 14–21 | Tanjung Priok | 5,000–15,000 |
| UAE (Jebel Ali) → Belawan | 10–14 | Belawan (Medan) | 3,000–6,000 |
Cost drivers to watch in 2025:
- Rupiah volatility: A 5% depreciation adds roughly $27/ton to landed costs at current price levels.
- Import duties & VAT: Bitumen imports face a 0–5% import duty depending on HS code and origin, plus 11% VAT (rising to 12% under current reform plans).
- Storage bottlenecks: Jakarta and Surabaya tank farms run at 85–90% utilization during peak road-building season (May–October), pushing some buyers toward direct-to-site discharge.
- Feedstock spreads: Wider vacuum residue spreads in Singapore and South Korea typically pass through to Indonesian buyers within 30–45 days.
If you are comparing CIF versus FOB purchase structures, the total landed cost difference can reach $15–25/ton depending on charter terms. A freight-inclusive calculator helps isolate these variables before you commit to a tender price. You can also review how [bitumen price](/bitumen-price) benchmarks move across regions before locking a contract.
FAQ: Indonesia Bitumen Import Demand
Q1: How much bitumen does Indonesia import annually?
Indonesia imported approximately 3.8 million tons in 2024, valued at about $2.05 billion. Volume is forecast to reach 4.1 million tons in 2025, a 7.9% increase year-on-year.
Q2: Which country is Indonesia's largest bitumen supplier?
Singapore is the largest supplier, holding roughly 31% market share with about 1.18 million tons in 2024. South Korea (25%) and Iran (20%) follow, with Iran offering the lowest landed price at roughly $502/ton to Jakarta.
Q3: Why does Indonesia import so much bitumen instead of producing it?
Pertamina's refineries produce only about 1.6 million tons per year, covering roughly 30% of domestic need. The refineries are configured to maximize fuels rather than asphalt-grade residue, so imports fill a structural gap of over 2.2 million tons annually.
Q4: What is the average price of imported bitumen in Indonesia?
The 2024 average CIF price was $539/ton, ranging from about $470–500/ton for Iranian origin to $545–570/ton for South Korean material. Landed costs in Jakarta typically run $502–561/ton including freight, insurance, and duties.
Q5: How long does it take to ship bitumen to Indonesia?
Transit times range from 3–5 days from Singapore to 14–21 days from Iran. South Korea requires 9–12 days to Surabaya, and UAE shipments to Belawan take 10–14 days, directly affecting working-capital and inventory planning.
Closing: Price Your Indonesia Bitumen Cargo in Seconds
With landed costs swinging $40–60/ton depending on origin, freight, and FX, guessing your CIF or FOB price is a fast way to lose margin. Use the 6Tar cost calculator to model Singapore, South Korean, Iranian, and UAE origins side by side — including freight, insurance, duties, and VAT — so every tender quote you send to Indonesian buyers is anchored in real numbers. Run your next cargo through the 6Tar calculator before you commit.