Bitumen Price in UAE Today
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Bitumen Price in UAE Today
Bitumen price in UAE today ranges from USD 415 to USD 455 per metric ton (AED 1,525–1,670) for penetration grade 60/70 and 80/100, bulk FOB Jebel Ali and Hamriyah Port. Drums are quoted at a USD 55–75 per ton premium, landing at approximately USD 480–520 per MT. Prices reflect the current Singapore/ME benchmark, Brent crude at USD 78–82 per barrel, and 25–35 day shipping windows to East Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
UAE Bitumen Price Table by Grade and Packaging (Today)
| Grade | Bulk FOB Jebel Ali (USD/MT) | New Steel Drum FOB (USD/MT) | Bulk CIF India (USD/MT) | Bulk CIF East Africa (USD/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration 60/70 | 415–435 | 478–508 | 448–468 | 465–490 |
| Penetration 80/100 | 420–440 | 483–513 | 453–473 | 470–495 |
| Penetration 40/50 | 435–455 | 498–528 | 468–488 | 485–510 |
| Cutback RC-250 | 470–500 | 540–575 | 505–540 | 525–560 |
| Emulsion CSS-1 | 480–515 | 550–590 | 515–550 | 535–570 |
Prices updated daily at 09:00 GST. CIF figures include freight but exclude destination port charges and 0.5% insurance.
- Bulk is 13–16% cheaper than drummed bitumen per ton due to packaging and handling cost.
- Grade spread: 40/50 trades at a USD 20/MT premium over 60/70 because of lower regional supply.
- Volume discount: Orders above 5,000 MT typically secure a USD 8–12/MT reduction from UAE refineries.
What Drives Bitumen Price in UAE Today?
UAE bitumen pricing is not set locally — it tracks three variables that move together:
| Driver | Current Level | Impact on UAE Bitumen Price |
|---|---|---|
| Brent crude | USD 78–82/bbl | +USD 1/bbl ≈ +USD 4.5–5.5/MT |
| Singapore bitumen benchmark | USD 430–450/MT FOB | Direct reference for UAE exporters |
| USD/AED exchange rate | 3.6725 (pegged) | Removes FX risk for USD buyers |
| Freight (Jebel Ali–Mumbai) | USD 28–38/MT | +12–18% to CIF landed cost |
| Iran export availability | Reduced 15–20% YoY | Tightens regional supply, supports prices |
Key point: Because the AED is pegged to the USD at 3.6725, UAE bitumen prices carry no currency risk for international buyers — a major advantage over Iran, where rial volatility adds 5–10% to landed cost unpredictability.
- A USD 5/barrel Brent move shifts bitumen by roughly USD 23–28/MT within 7–10 days.
- UAE refinery utilization currently runs at 88–92%, keeping supply steady.
- Q4 road-building season in India and East Africa pushes Q3–Q4 premiums of USD 10–20/MT.
UAE vs Regional Bitumen Price Comparison
Buyers sourcing from the Gulf compare UAE against Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Singapore. Here is how today's numbers stack up on a CIF Nhava Sheva (India) basis:
| Origin | Grade 60/70 CIF India (USD/MT) | Payment Terms | Shipping Days to India | Risk Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE (Jebel Ali) | 448–468 | LC at sight / TT | 4–6 | Low |
| Iran (Bandar Abbas) | 405–430 | TT, often cash | 5–8 | High (sanctions, banking) |
| Iraq (Umm Qasr) | 440–460 | LC | 6–9 | Medium |
| Bahrain | 455–475 | LC | 7–10 | Low |
| Singapore | 462–482 | LC | 12–16 | Low |
- UAE costs 8–12% more than Iran but avoids sanction-related payment blocks and insurance rejection.
- UAE is 3–5% cheaper than Singapore on Indian Ocean routes because of shorter freight legs.
- Iran's discount is often wiped out by 7–14 day payment delays and rejected letters of credit.
For most Indian, Kenyan, and Bangladeshi importers, UAE remains the best risk-adjusted source despite the nominal premium over Iran.
How to Lock the Best Bitumen Price in UAE Today
Securing a competitive price depends on timing, contract structure, and supplier selection — not just the headline number.
Pricing timing:
- Fix price when Brent is between USD 75–80/bbl; above USD 85/bbl, most UAE suppliers add a USD 10–15/MT risk premium.
- Avoid fixing during Q1 (Jan–Mar) when refinery maintenance and low stock lift prices 4–6%.
- Best windows: April–June and September–October for balance of supply and freight rates.
Contract structure options:
| Structure | When to Use | Price Certainty | Typical Cost vs Spot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed price, single shipment | One-off orders <5,000 MT | High | Spot |
| Monthly fixed volume | Steady demand, 2,000–8,000 MT/mo | High | Spot –USD 5–10/MT |
| Formula-linked (Brent + premium) | 12-month supply | Medium | Brent +USD 55–70/MT |
| Spot (daily quote) | Urgent / small orders | Low | Benchmark +USD 0–15/MT |
Supplier selection checklist:
- Verify ISO 9001 and ASTM D946 / EN 12591 certification.
- Confirm Jebel Ali or Hamriyah port loading capability — inland-only suppliers add USD 15–25/MT trucking.
- Request independent SGS/Intertek test reports per batch; test results affect resale value by 3–7%.
- Check load-port storage capacity — suppliers holding under 10,000 MT face delivery delays in peak Q4.
Bitumen Price Forecast for UAE (Next 30–90 Days)
Based on current Brent futures, freight indices, and seasonal demand, here is the near-term outlook:
| Period | Expected 60/70 Bulk FOB (USD/MT) | Direction | Main Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Next 30 days | 418–438 | Stable | Brent range-bound, steady supply |
| 60 days | 425–448 | Slight up | Q4 India/East Africa demand |
| 90 days | 432–458 | Up 2–5% | Seasonal peak + freight firming |
- Upside risk: Brent above USD 85/bbl or Iran supply disruption could add USD 18–25/MT.
- Downside risk: Brent below USD 72/bbl or a demand slowdown in India could cut prices USD 15–20/MT.
- Base case: UAE 60/70 bulk holds USD 415–455/MT through the quarter.
Buyers with Q4 requirements should consider locking 40–60% of volume now at current levels and floating the remainder.
FAQ: Bitumen Price in UAE Today
Q1: What is the bitumen price in UAE today per ton?
Today's UAE bitumen price is USD 415–455 per metric ton for bulk 60/70 and 80/100 FOB Jebel Ali, and USD 478–528 per ton for new steel drums. CIF prices to India and East Africa run USD 448–495/MT depending on grade and destination.
Q2: Is UAE bitumen cheaper than Iran or Singapore?
UAE bitumen is 8–12% more expensive than Iran but 3–5% cheaper than Singapore on the India and East Africa routes. The UAE premium over Iran is usually justified by lower payment, sanction, and insurance risk, which can add more than the price difference in hidden costs.
Q3: Which grade of bitumen is most exported from the UAE?
Penetration grade 60/70 dominates UAE exports, followed by 80/100 and 40/50. These grades suit hot-mix asphalt for roads in India, Kenya, Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka — the UAE's top destination markets.
Q4: What affects the daily bitumen price in UAE?
Three factors move UAE bitumen price daily: Brent crude (USD 78–82/bbl), the Singapore bitumen benchmark (USD 430–450/MT FOB), and freight rates (USD 28–38/MT to India). A USD 1/barrel Brent change shifts UAE bitumen by roughly USD 4.5–5.5/MT within a week.
Q5: How many days does UAE bitumen take to ship to India or East Africa?
Bulk and drummed bitumen from Jebel Ali ships to India in 4–6 days, to East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam) in 12–18 days, and to Southeast Asia in 18–25 days. Total delivery from order confirmation to port discharge typically runs 7–30 days including loading and documentation.
Get Your Exact Bitumen Cost in Seconds
The table prices above are indicative ranges. Your true landed cost depends on grade, volume, port, payment terms, and today's live market. Use the 6Tar cost calculator to enter your tonnage, destination, and packaging choice and get a real-time landed price per MT — typically accurate within USD 3–5/MT of final invoice.