According to WPB, India's bitumen consumption surged to 704,000 metric tons in October 2026, marking a 19.3% increase from September and a 16.6% rise compared with October 2025. The latest figures, released on November 6 by the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, highlight a strong recovery in bitumen demand as road construction activity accelerates following the monsoon season.
October consumption increased by 114,000 tons from September's 590,000 tons, extending the recovery in India's road construction market. The sharp rise reflects stronger requirements for paving materials as contractors resume infrastructure projects and expand asphalt production during the post-monsoon construction period.
Bitumen consumption also outpaced the broader petroleum market. India's total petroleum product consumption reached approximately 20.49 million tons in October, up from 18.71 million tons in September, representing monthly growth of around 9.5%. On an annual basis, overall petroleum consumption increased by 2.7%, significantly below the 16.6% growth recorded for bitumen. The comparison highlights the particularly strong performance of the road construction materials market.
The increase in physical bitumen consumption coincided with a sustained rise in domestic prices. Following several price adjustments in October, refinery-linked quotations increased again on November 1. At the Visakhapatnam terminal, bulk VG30 reached ₹85,440 per metric ton, an increase of ₹1,180 from October 16. Bulk VG40 rose by ₹1,350 to ₹92,490 per ton over the same period. These developments have raised bitumen procurement costs for asphalt manufacturers, road contractors, and distributors.
Import-market assessments also moved higher in early November. According to WPB's market assessment dated November 2, VG30 bitumen was assessed at $730 ±5 per metric ton CFR Chennai, compared with $693 per ton on October 27. The $37 increase, equivalent to approximately 5.3%, reflects the upward movement in assessed delivered prices during the final days of October and the beginning of November.
The combination of rising domestic consumption, higher refinery-linked prices, and stronger CFR assessments provides an important indication of India's current bitumen market conditions. Domestic producers are operating in a market where demand has recovered substantially, while importers and distributors face higher procurement costs. The increase in consumption is particularly significant for suppliers serving India's road construction and infrastructure sectors.
India's position as a major bitumen consumption market also makes these developments relevant to international exporters, particularly suppliers serving western and southern Indian ports. The competitiveness of imported bitumen depends on the relationship between domestic prices and delivered international quotations, together with product specifications, freight, customs charges, and inland transportation costs.
The latest PPAC data establish October as a period of strong growth in Indian bitumen consumption, followed by further increases in reported domestic and assessed import prices at the beginning of November. With consumption reaching 704,000 tons and annual growth exceeding 16%, India's bitumen market remains an important indicator for regional suppliers, international traders, and companies involved in asphalt and road construction.
By WPB
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