Bitumen Price in Ghana Today
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Bitumen Price in Ghana Today
As of the latest market update, bulk bitumen price in Ghana today ranges between GHS 9,200 and GHS 10,400 per metric ton for penetration-grade 60/70 and 80/100, translating to roughly USD 620–700 per MT depending on the port of entry, quantity ordered, and whether the buyer is purchasing in drums or bulk. For smaller quantities under 5 MT, expect to pay a premium of 12–18%, pushing the effective price to GHS 10,800–12,200 per MT. Prices are typically quoted on a CIF Tema or Takoradi basis for imported cargo from refineries in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea.
This guide breaks down the current pricing landscape, the factors driving it, and how Ghanaian road contractors, roofing manufacturers, and asphalt plants can lock in the best rates.
Current Bitumen Price Breakdown in Ghana (Latest Quarter)
Bitumen in Ghana is almost entirely imported, so local pricing is a function of international crude benchmarks, freight, port charges, and cedi-dollar movement. Here's how the price stack looks today.
| Cost Component | USD per MT | GHS per MT (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOB refinery price (60/70) | 420 – 460 | 6,200 – 6,800 | UAE / Saudi origin |
| Ocean freight (Jebel Ali–Tema) | 55 – 75 | 810 – 1,100 | 20–30 day transit |
| Insurance & documentation | 8 – 12 | 120 – 175 | Marine cargo |
| Import duty & levies | 30 – 45 | 440 – 660 | Varies by HS code |
| Port handling & clearing | 25 – 40 | 370 – 590 | Tema Port terminal fees |
| Inland transport (Tema–Kumasi) | 20 – 35 | 295 – 515 | Per 30 MT truck |
| Supplier margin | 40 – 70 | 590 – 1,030 | Trader/agent markup |
| Delivered total | 620 – 700 | 9,200 – 10,400 | Bulk, 30 MT+ orders |
Key takeaways:
- The 60/70 penetration grade is the most in-demand grade for Ghana's asphalt and road construction sector.
- Bulk (bitutank) deliveries are 8–12% cheaper per MT than drummed bitumen.
- Orders under 5 MT carry a 12–18% surcharge because of drum handling and repackaging.
Bitumen Price in Ghana Today by Grade
Not all bitumen is priced the same. Ghanaian buyers typically source three grades, each with a different price band based on refinery availability and global demand.
| Grade | Common Use in Ghana | Price Range (GHS/MT) | Price Range (USD/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration 60/70 | Asphalt paving, highways | 9,200 – 10,100 | 620 – 680 |
| Penetration 80/100 | Roofing, waterproofing | 9,400 – 10,400 | 635 – 700 |
| Cutback / Emulsion | Cold mix, surface dressing | 11,500 – 13,200 | 775 – 890 |
| Oxidized / Blown | Industrial roofing, mastics | 12,000 – 13,800 | 810 – 930 |
| PMB (Polymer Modified) | Bridges, heavy-duty roads | 14,500 – 16,500 | 980 – 1,110 |
Why the spread matters:
- 60/70 grade dominates because it's the default spec for Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) road contracts.
- PMB is roughly 55–65% more expensive than standard penetration grade but delivers 2–3× the service life on high-traffic corridors.
- Cutback and emulsion prices include solvent costs, which track naphtha and kerosene markets.
What Drives the Bitumen Price in Ghana Today
Bitumen pricing in Ghana is a chain reaction. Understanding the drivers lets buyers time purchases and negotiate better.
Bitumen is a refinery residue of crude oil. When Brent moves up USD 10/bbl, bulk bitumen FOB prices typically rise USD 25–40 per MT within 4–6 weeks.
Because 100% of bitumen is imported and priced in USD, the GHS/USD rate is the single biggest local variable.
- At GHS 12.50/USD, a USD 650/MT cargo costs GHS 8,125/MT before local costs.
- At GHS 14.80/USD, the same cargo jumps to GHS 9,620/MT — a 18% increase with no change in the global market.
Freight from the Middle East to Tema currently runs USD 55–75 per MT on a 20–30 day voyage. Freight spikes (Red Sea diversions, fuel surcharges) can add USD 15–25/MT overnight.
Road construction in Ghana peaks between November and March (dry season). Demand for 60/70 grade can rise 25–35%, pushing spot prices up 5–8% during this window.
Tema and Takoradi Ports handle nearly all bitumen imports. Berthing delays of 5–10 days can add demurrage and storage costs of USD 8–15/MT, which flows to the end buyer.
Price Comparison: Ghana vs. Regional Neighbours
Ghanaian buyers often compare prices with Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo. Here's how the region stacks up today.
| Country | Port of Entry | Bulk Price (USD/MT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana | Tema / Takoradi | 620 – 700 | Stable supply, moderate duties |
| Nigeria | Lagos (Apapa) | 580 – 660 | Local refinery output (Dangote) |
| Côte d'Ivoire | Abidjan | 640 – 720 | Higher freight, smaller volumes |
| Togo | Lomé | 650 – 730 | Transshipment hub |
| Burkina Faso | Via Tema | 780 – 880 | Landlocked premium |
Insight: Ghana is competitively priced within the region, but Nigeria's Dangote refinery is gradually narrowing the gap. Buyers near the eastern border may find Lagos-sourced bitumen 5–8% cheaper, though cross-border logistics and customs add friction.
How to Get the Best Bitumen Price in Ghana Today
Whether you're an asphalt plant, a roofing manufacturer, or a government contractor, these tactics reliably reduce your landed cost.
- Buy in bulk (30 MT+). Drum handling adds GHS 900–1,300 per MT; bulk bitutank shipments eliminate this.
- Lock forward contracts. Suppliers offer 30–60 day price locks at a 1.5–3% premium — worth it when the cedi is volatile.
- Consolidate orders. Grouped orders from multiple contractors can hit 25 MT+ thresholds, unlocking volume discounts of 4–7%.
- Time purchases to the wet season (April–October). Demand softens, and suppliers are more flexible on price.
- Negotiate CIF vs. FOB. If you have your own clearing agent, FOB + self-clearing can save GHS 400–700 per MT.
- Verify grade specs. Buying "60/70" that's actually 80/100 can cost you on rework — confirm with a penetration test (ASTM D5) on arrival.
| Purchase Type | Quantity | Price per MT (GHS) | Total Cost (GHS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (bitutank) | 30 MT | 9,400 | 282,000 |
| Drummed | 30 MT | 10,600 | 318,000 |
| Savings with bulk | — | 1,200/MT | 36,000 |
That's an 11.3% saving on a single truckload — significant for contractors running multiple projects.
FAQ: Bitumen Price in Ghana Today
1. What is the current price of bitumen in Ghana per ton?
Bulk 60/70 penetration grade bitumen is currently priced between GHS 9,200 and GHS 10,400 per metric ton (USD 620–700). Drummed quantities under 5 MT carry a 12–18% premium, bringing the effective price to GHS 10,800–12,200 per MT.
2. Has the bitumen price in Ghana increased this year?
Yes. Compared to the same period last year, prices are up roughly 9–14%, driven mainly by cedi depreciation and higher ocean freight. Crude oil benchmarks have been relatively stable, so the cedi-dollar rate is the dominant factor this year.
3. Which grade of bitumen is cheapest in Ghana today?
Penetration grade 60/70 is the cheapest and most widely available, at GHS 9,200–10,100 per MT. Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) is the most expensive at GHS 14,500–16,500 per MT, but it's specified for heavy-duty roads and bridges.
4. Can I buy bitumen directly from a refinery in Ghana?
No. Ghana has no local bitumen refinery; all supply is imported, primarily from UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. Buyers source through licensed importers, trading companies, or distributors operating out of Tema and Takoradi.
5. How long does delivery take for a bitumen order in Ghana?
For in-stock bulk orders, delivery from Tema to Accra or Kumasi takes 2–5 days. For direct import orders, expect 20–35 days from order confirmation to port arrival, plus 5–10 days for customs clearing and inland transport.
Get an Instant Bitumen Cost Estimate with 6Tar
Pricing bitumen in Ghana involves too many moving parts — crude benchmarks, freight, cedi rates, port charges. Instead of chasing quotes from five suppliers, use the 6Tar cost calculator to get an instant, itemised landed-cost estimate for any quantity, grade, and delivery destination in Ghana.
- Real-time price inputs — crude, freight, and FX rates
- Grade-by-grade breakdown — 60/70, 80/100, PMB, emulsion
- Bulk vs. drum comparison — see your exact savings
- Delivery estimates — Tema, Takoradi, Accra, Kumasi, Tamale
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