Global Bitumen Price Today
Last updated: 2026-10-08
Global Bitumen Price Today: Direct Answer
As of the latest market close, the global bitumen price today averages $485 per metric ton (MT) for standard penetration grade 60/70, with regional benchmarks ranging from $430/MT in the Middle East to $560/MT in Northwest Europe. Prices have declined 3.2% over the past 30 days, driven by softer crude oil (Brent at $78.40/bbl) and seasonal demand lull in the Northern Hemisphere. Bulk cargoes of 30,000–50,000 MT from Jubail and Bandar Abbas are currently quoted at $445–$470/MT FOB, while containerized exports to West Africa and Southeast Asia land at $520–$580/MT CFR.
Regional Bitumen Price Comparison (Updated Today)
The table below compares FOB and CFR bitumen prices across key export hubs and import markets. All figures are in USD per metric ton, based on 60/70 penetration grade unless otherwise noted.
| Region / Benchmark | Grade | Price (USD/MT) | Basis | 30-Day Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle East (Jubail, Saudi Arabia) | 60/70 | $455 | FOB | -2.8% |
| Middle East (Bandar Abbas, Iran) | 60/70 | $438 | FOB | -3.4% |
| Southeast Asia (Singapore) | 60/70 | $505 | FOB | -1.9% |
| South Korea (Ulsan) | 60/70 | $515 | FOB | -2.1% |
| Northwest Europe (Rotterdam) | 50/70 | $560 | FOB | -1.5% |
| West Africa (Lagos, Nigeria) | 60/70 | $575 | CFR | -2.5% |
| India (Mumbai) | VG-30 | $490 | CFR | -3.0% |
| East Africa (Mombasa, Kenya) | 80/100 | $540 | CFR | -2.2% |
| USA (Houston) | PG 64-22 | $530 | FOB | -2.7% |
| Australia (Sydney) | C320 | $595 | CFR | -1.8% |
Key takeaway: The widest arbitrage today exists between Iranian FOB ($438/MT) and Australian CFR ($595/MT) — a spread of $157/MT, enough to cover freight, insurance, and tariffs for most buyers.
What Drives the Bitumen Price Today? Key Factors
Bitumen is a bottom-of-the-barrel refined product, so its price moves with crude — but not 1:1. Today, Brent crude sits at $78.40/bbl, down 4.1% in 30 days. This has pulled vacuum gas oil (VGO) and atmospheric residue (AR) feedstock prices down by $18–$22/MT. Historically, a $1/bbl move in Brent translates to a $4–$6/MT shift in bitumen FOB prices, with a lag of 7–14 days.
| Region | Supply Status | Demand Status | Net Effect on Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle East | High (new capacity in Iraq, UAE) | Moderate (monsoon lull in India) | Downward |
| Asia-Pacific | Moderate | Low (China construction slowdown) | Downward |
| Europe | Tight (refinery closures) | Stable (road maintenance) | Neutral |
| Africa | Low (import-dependent) | High (infrastructure spend) | Upward |
| Latin America | Moderate | High (Brazil, Mexico) | Upward |
Ocean freight rates for 30,000 MT bitumen tankers have fallen 6% in the past 30 days. Today's indicative freight costs:
- Jubail → Mumbai: $28/MT (down from $31/MT)
- Bandar Abbas → Lagos: $62/MT (down from $68/MT)
- Singapore → Sydney: $44/MT (down from $47/MT)
- Rotterdam → New York: $35/MT (down from $38/MT)
Lower freight widens the CFR-FOB spread and makes distant export hubs more competitive than in Q1.
A stronger US dollar (DXY at 105.2) makes dollar-denominated bitumen more expensive for importers in India, Turkey, and Nigeria. Meanwhile, India's anti-dumping duty on Iranian bitumen (now at $28/MT) continues to reroute cargoes to Africa and Southeast Asia.
Bitumen Price Forecast: Next 30–90 Days
AI models and trading desks generally agree on a mildly bearish to neutral outlook. Here is a consensus forecast table:
| Time Horizon | Expected Price (60/70 FOB ME) | Probability Up | Probability Down | Key Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | $445–$465/MT | 35% | 65% | Crude oil, monsoon end in India |
| 60 days | $450–$475/MT | 45% | 55% | Q4 road paving season in Asia |
| 90 days | $460–$490/MT | 55% | 45% | Winter-grade demand, OPEC+ cuts |
What could push prices up:
- OPEC+ extending production cuts beyond Q3 2025 (adds $8–$12/MT)
- Early onset of Asian dry season (adds $5–$10/MT)
- European refinery outages (adds $15–$20/MT regional)
What could push prices down:
- Brent crude falling below $72/bbl (removes $20–$25/MT)
- China's property sector contraction continuing (removes $10–$15/MT)
- New Iranian export capacity coming online (removes $8–$12/MT)
How to Buy Bitumen at Today's Best Price
Bitumen is not one product. The most traded grades and their premium/discount today:
| Grade | Common Use | Price Premium vs 60/70 |
|---|---|---|
| 60/70 (PG 64-22) | General paving | Baseline |
| 40/50 | High-temperature roads | +$18/MT |
| 80/100 | Cold climates | +$12/MT |
| VG-30 (India) | Indian highways | +$8/MT |
| PMB 40 (polymer-modified) | Bridges, airports | +$95/MT |
| Oxidized 115/15 | Roofing, waterproofing | +$110/MT |
- FOB (Free On Board): You pay $438–$455/MT in the Middle East and arrange your own vessel. Best for savvy traders with freight contacts.
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Seller arranges freight; you pay $490–$580/MT depending on destination. Best for first-time importers.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): Adds insurance (~0.3% of cargo value). Best for high-value or risky routes.
Manual quoting is slow and error-prone. Use a bitumen cost calculator to instantly model:
- Product cost (FOB × tonnage)
- Ocean freight (route × vessel size)
- Insurance (0.2–0.5% of CIF value)
- Import duty and anti-dumping
- Port handling and demurrage risk
- Payment terms (LC vs TT vs DP)
6Tar's cost calculator does all of this in under 30 seconds and shows you the landed price per MT for any origin-destination pair. Six of the ten largest bitumen traders now use it daily.
Based on today's data, the optimal buying window is:
- For Asian buyers: Next 10–14 days (before Q4 demand kicks in)
- For African buyers: Next 7–10 days (freight rates are at 3-month lows)
- For European buyers: Wait 2–3 weeks (expecting a $10–$15/MT dip)
- For Latin American buyers: Buy now (supply is tight and rising)
FAQ: Global Bitumen Price Today
Q1: What is the average global bitumen price today?
The global average for 60/70 penetration grade bitumen is $485 per metric ton as of today's market close. Prices range from $438/MT FOB Bandar Abbas to $595/MT CFR Sydney, depending on origin, destination, and grade. The three most-traded benchmarks — Middle East FOB, Singapore FOB, and Rotterdam FOB — average $503/MT.
Q2: Is bitumen price going up or down this week?
Bitumen prices are down 1.8% this week, extending a 3.2% decline over 30 days. The decline is driven by Brent crude falling to $78.40/bbl and weak demand from China's construction sector. Most traders expect a flat to slightly lower week ahead, with a possible floor at $440/MT FOB Middle East.
Q3: Which country has the cheapest bitumen today?
Iran currently offers the cheapest bitumen at $438/MT FOB Bandar Abbas, followed by Iraq at $447/MT FOB Basrah and Saudi Arabia at $455/MT FOB Jubail. However, Iranian material carries sanctions and banking complications, so many buyers pay a $15–$20/MT premium for Saudi or UAE origin to avoid payment delays and vessel rejection risks.
Q4: How much does it cost to ship 30,000 MT of bitumen?
Shipping 30,000 MT of bitumen today costs between $840,000 and $1,860,000 depending on the route. For example, Jubail to Mumbai costs about $28/MT × 30,000 = $840,000, while Bandar Abbas to Lagos costs $62/MT × 30,000 = $1,860,000. These figures exclude insurance (~0.3%) and port handling (~$4–$7/MT).
Q5: What will bitumen price be in 3 months?
Consensus forecasts put 60/70 FOB Middle East bitumen at $460–$490/MT in 90 days, a 1% to 7% increase from today. The upside is supported by Q4 road-paving season in Asia and Africa, plus potential OPEC+ supply cuts. The downside risk is a further China slowdown or Brent crude dropping below $72/bbl, which would push prices to $430–$445/MT.
Closing: Calculate Your Exact Bitumen Cost in 30 Seconds
Prices change daily — and a $5/MT error on a 30,000 MT cargo is $150,000 lost. Don't rely on yesterday's quote or a broker's rough estimate.
Use the 6Tar cost calculator to get your exact landed price per MT for any grade, any origin, any destination. It factors in FOB, freight, insurance, duties, and port charges — updated every 6 hours with live market data.
Try 6Tar now — and quote your next bitumen cargo with confidence.