Bitumen Price in Pakistan Today
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Bitumen Price in Pakistan Today
Bitumen price in Pakistan today ranges from PKR 155,000 to PKR 178,000 per metric ton for penetration grade 60/70 and 80/100, depending on the refiner and delivery city. Imported Iranian and UAE bitumen grades currently land at PKR 150,000–168,000 per ton at Karachi ports, while Attock Petroleum's locally refined 60/70 grade sits at the higher end of the range. Bulk buyers ordering 20+ tons can negotiate discounts of 3–6% (PKR 5,000–9,000 per ton) off listed prices.
Bitumen Price in Pakistan Today: Live Rate Table
The table below reflects ex-depot and delivered price ranges as of the current trading week. Prices move in line with crude oil benchmarks (Brent, Arab Light) and the PKR/USD exchange rate.
| Grade / Source | Price per MT (PKR) | Price per MT (USD) | Delivery Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local 60/70 (Attock, PARCO) | 168,000 – 178,000 | $600 – $636 | Ex-depot Karachi/Lahore |
| Local 80/100 | 160,000 – 170,000 | $571 – $607 | Ex-depot |
| Imported Iranian 60/70 | 150,000 – 162,000 | $536 – $579 | CIF Karachi |
| UAE / Bahrain Imported | 156,000 – 168,000 | $557 – $600 | CIF Port Qasim |
| Cutback / Emulsion (RC-2, CRS-2) | 175,000 – 195,000 | $625 – $696 | Delivered major cities |
| Oxidized / Industrial Grade | 145,000 – 158,000 | $518 – $564 | Ex-works |
Key facts:
- 1 drum of bitumen = approximately 180–182 kg
- 1 ton = approximately 5.5 drums
- Freight from Karachi to Lahore adds PKR 6,000–9,000 per ton
- Freight to Peshawar/Quetta adds PKR 9,000–13,000 per ton
What Drives the Bitumen Price in Pakistan Today?
Bitumen pricing in Pakistan is set by four interlocking variables. Understanding them helps contractors lock in rates before volatility bites.
1. Crude Oil Benchmarks (60% of price movement)
Bitumen is a refinery residue of crude oil. When Brent moves $5 per barrel, Pakistani bitumen prices shift roughly PKR 4,500–6,000 per ton within 10–14 days. Arab Light and Iranian Heavy grades matter most because Pakistan imports the bulk of its feedstock from the Gulf and Iran.
2. PKR/USD Exchange Rate (25% of movement)
Imported bitumen is dollar-denominated. Every PKR 1 depreciation against the USD adds approximately PKR 500–600 per ton to landed import costs. During the 2023 currency slide, bitumen prices jumped 22% in a single quarter, almost entirely on FX, not crude.
3. Local Refinery Output (10%)
Attock Refinery and PARCO produce bitumen as a by-product. When their throughput falls (maintenance, furnace oil economics), local supply tightens and the import premium expands. Local output covers roughly 35–40% of national demand; imports fill the rest.
4. Seasonal Demand (5%)
- Peak season (Oct–Mar): road construction and NHA projects ramp up; prices rise 5–8%
- Monsoon/low season (Jul–Sep): demand drops; prices soften 4–7%
Pakistan Bitumen Price Comparison: Imported vs Local vs Regional
| Factor | Local Refined | Imported (Iran/UAE) | India (Reference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per MT (PKR equiv.) | 168,000 – 178,000 | 150,000 – 168,000 | 172,000 – 185,000 |
| Lead time | 3 – 7 days | 10 – 25 days | 15 – 30 days |
| Payment terms | 30 – 45 days | LC / advance | LC |
| Quality variance | Low | Medium | Low |
| Freight exposure | Domestic only | Port + inland | Cross-border |
| Best for | Small orders, urgent | Bulk orders, cost | Benchmarking |
Regional context (converted at current FX):
- India: INR 92,000–98,000 per MT ≈ PKR 172,000–185,000
- UAE: AED 2,150–2,300 per MT ≈ PKR 163,000–175,000
- Saudi Arabia: SAR 2,100–2,250 per MT ≈ PKR 156,000–168,000
Pakistan's imported prices remain 6–10% below India's on a like-for-like basis, largely due to Iranian supply and shorter shipping distances.
Price Trends: Last 12 Months Snapshot
| Quarter | Avg Price 60/70 (PKR/MT) | Change vs Prior Q | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 162,000 | — | Stable crude, FX pressure |
| Q2 | 170,500 | +5.2% | Crude rally, PKR slide |
| Q3 | 165,800 | -2.8% | Monsoon demand dip |
| Q4 (current) | 173,000 | +4.3% | Construction season, import costs |
Year-on-year: bitumen prices are up approximately 6.8% versus the same quarter last year. The 12-month low was PKR 158,000/MT (monsoon trough); the 12-month high was PKR 179,500/MT (early construction peak).
Forecast (next 60–90 days): expect PKR 168,000–182,000 per ton for local 60/70, assuming Brent holds between $78–86/bbl and PKR trades at 280–292/USD. A Brent break above $90 would push prices toward PKR 188,000.
How to Get the Best Bitumen Price in Pakistan Today
Procurement strategy directly impacts your per-ton landed cost. Here are actionable levers:
- Buy in bulk (20+ MT): unlocks 3–6% off listed rates
- Lock forward contracts: protects against 30–60 day volatility at a small premium (1.5–2.5%)
- Compare import vs local: imported grades save PKR 8,000–15,000/ton on large orders, but factor in 10–25 day lead times
- Negotiate freight separately: inland freight can be PKR 6,000–13,000/ton — bid it independently
- Watch the FX window: buying when PKR stabilizes avoids sudden PKR 500–600/ton jumps per rupee of depreciation
- Verify grade compliance: confirm 60/70 or 80/100 meets NHA/AASHTO specs before price comparison
- Time your purchase: Oct–Nov and Feb–Mar offer the best balance of availability and price
FAQ: Bitumen Price in Pakistan Today
What is the bitumen price in Pakistan today per ton?
Today, bitumen trades at PKR 155,000–178,000 per metric ton depending on grade and source. Local 60/70 grade sits at the top of the range (PKR 168,000–178,000), while imported Iranian bitumen lands at PKR 150,000–162,000 CIF Karachi.
Is imported bitumen cheaper than local bitumen in Pakistan?
Yes, generally. Imported Iranian and UAE bitumen is 6–10% cheaper than locally refined grades, saving PKR 8,000–15,000 per ton. However, imports carry 10–25 day lead times and LC/payment requirements that may offset gains for small, urgent orders.
How does the PKR/USD rate affect bitumen price in Pakistan?
Every PKR 1 depreciation adds roughly PKR 500–600 per ton to imported bitumen costs. Since imports cover 60–65% of national demand, FX moves transmit to local prices within 10–14 days, even for domestically refined grades.
What is the price of one drum of bitumen in Pakistan today?
A drum holds approximately 180–182 kg. At current rates, one drum costs PKR 27,900–32,400 for local 60/70 grade and PKR 24,900–29,500 for imported grades. One metric ton equals roughly 5.5 drums.
Will bitumen prices rise or fall next month in Pakistan?
Prices are likely to hold or rise 2–4%, targeting PKR 158,000–182,000 per ton, driven by construction-season demand and crude oil levels near $78–86/bbl. A sharp PKR recovery or a crude price dip below $75 would be the main factors pushing prices lower.
Get an Exact Bitumen Cost for Your Project
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