The third week of October has produced one of the clearest examples yet of a fragmented global bitumen market. Instead of moving together, major markets are now heading in different directions: India and Singapore are climbing, China is correcting lower, Iran and Iraq are firmer, while several European markets are edging upward.
The latest October bitumen prices show that supply availability, domestic refinery pricing, year-end procurement and replacement costs are now driving regional markets more strongly than any single global trend.
For buyers, the key message this week is simple: there is no longer one global bitumen price direction.
The Biggest Bitumen Price Moves This Week
Several markets recorded meaningful changes in the third week of October.
Singapore 60/70 bulk increased to USD 774/MT FOB, while drum reached USD 844/MT FOB, representing a USD 12/MT weekly increase.
India moved even more strongly. 60/70 drum CFR assessments increased by USD 15/MT across all listed ports, while VG30 Chennai advanced to USD 685/MT CFR.
China moved in the opposite direction. Chinese 60/70 drum prices declined by USD 15/MT, producing a CFR range of approximately USD 705–715/MT across the listed destinations.
South Korea also softened slightly, with the bulk export proxy declining by USD 4/MT to USD 743/MT FOB Yeosu/Ulsan.
This divergence makes the third-week October bitumen prices particularly important for importers comparing Asian origins.
Middle East Bitumen Prices Turn Firmer
The Middle East shows a generally firmer producer market this week, although the increases remain selective.
Iranian 60/70 normal-quality drum is assessed at USD 383/MT ±5 EXW factory and USD 396/MT ±5 FOB Bandar Abbas. Jumbo bag stands at USD 386/MT ±5 FOB, while flexi tank is assessed at USD 376/MT ±5 FOB Bandar Abbas.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (Drum)
|
383 ±5
|
EXW factory
|
|
60/70 (Drum)
|
396 ±5
|
FOB Bandar Abbas
|
|
60/70 (Jumbo Bag)
|
386 ±5
|
FOB Bandar Abbas
|
|
60/70 (Flexi Tank)
|
376 ±5
|
FOB Bandar Abbas
|
Iraq also moves higher. Iraqi 60/70 drum reaches USD 340/MT ±5 EXW factory and USD 390/MT ±5 FOB, while jumbo bag advances to USD 325–330/MT EXW.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (Jumbo Bag)
|
325-330
|
EXW factory
|
|
60/70 (Drum)
|
340 ±5
|
EXW factory
|
|
60/70 (Drum)
|
390 ±5
|
FOB
|
The stronger Iran and Iraq bitumen prices show a firmer Middle Eastern producer environment compared with the previous week.
Meanwhile, the UAE remains stable. Jebel Ali 60/70 drum is unchanged at USD 610/MT FOB and USD 620/MT CFR.
Turkey is also unchanged, with Mersin jumbo bag at USD 570/MT FOB and drum at USD 575/MT FOB.
Turkey
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (Jumbo Bag)
|
570 ±5
|
FOB Mersin
|
|
60/70 (Drum)
|
575 ±5
|
FOB Mersin
|
UAE
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
610 ±5
|
FOB Jebel Ali
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
620 ±5
|
CFR Jebel Ali
|
Singapore Bitumen Price Climbs on Tight Availability
Singapore is one of the strongest markets in the latest October bitumen prices.
60/70 bulk rises to USD 774/MT ±5 FOB Singapore, while drum reaches USD 844/MT ±5 FOB.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
844 ±5
|
FOB Singapore
|
|
60/70 (bulk)
|
774 ±5
|
FOB Singapore
|
The USD 12/MT increase reflects stronger demand for November-loading cargoes and limited refinery availability.
Singapore remains a critical reference for the wider Asian bitumen market because changes in Singapore export availability can quickly influence replacement costs across Southeast Asia and South Asia.
India Bitumen Prices Rise Another USD 15/MT
India stands out as one of the strongest markets this week.
Indian 60/70 drum CFR assessments increase by USD 15/MT across every listed port.
Chennai reaches USD 723/MT ±5 CFR, while Haldia rises to USD 735/MT ±5 and Kolkata reaches USD 754/MT ±5 CFR.
VG30 Chennai also advances to USD 685/MT ±5 CFR.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
723 ±5
|
CFR Chennai
|
|
VG30
|
685 ±5
|
CFR Chennai
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
660 ±5
|
CFR Cochin
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
735 ±5
|
CFR Haldia
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
630 ±5
|
CFR Mundra
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
665 ±5
|
CFR Kandla
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
680 ±5
|
CFR Nhava Sheva
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
726 ±5
|
CFR Tuticorin
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
754 ±5
|
CFR Kolkata
|
Other major India bitumen prices include:
- Cochin: USD 660/MT ±5 CFR
- Mundra: USD 630/MT ±5 CFR
- Kandla: USD 665/MT ±5 CFR
- Nhava Sheva: USD 680/MT ±5 CFR
- Tuticorin: USD 726/MT ±5 CFR
Higher domestic refinery prices, demand exceeding supply and restricted access to imported cargoes continue to raise Indian replacement costs.
China Bitumen Prices Reverse Direction
China is the clearest major market moving against the broader Asian increase.
Chinese 60/70 drum CFR prices fall by USD 15/MT across all listed destinations, bringing the market down to approximately USD 705–715/MT CFR.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
705 ±5
|
CFR Chongqing
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
708 ±5
|
CFR Hong Kong
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
708 ±5
|
CFR Ningbo
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
708 ±5
|
CFR Huangpu
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
710 ±5
|
CFR Yunfu
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
715 ±5
|
CFR Tianjin
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
710 ±5
|
CFR Dalian
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
708 ±5
|
CFR Guangzhou
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
708 ±5
|
CFR Nansha
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
708 ±5
|
CFR Zhuhai
|
Chongqing is assessed at USD 705/MT ±5, while Tianjin remains the highest listed destination at USD 715/MT ±5. Yunfu and Dalian stand at USD 710/MT ±5, with several other ports around USD 708/MT ±5.
Weaker domestic buying, improved supply and lower import bids are driving the correction.
The contrast between rising India bitumen prices and falling China bitumen prices is one of the most important developments in the global market this week.
Southeast Asia Splits Again
Southeast Asia is also moving in several directions rather than as a single market.
Malaysia rises strongly, with 60/70 drum prices increasing by USD 14/MT. The latest CFR assessments range from USD 625/MT in Port Klang to USD 635/MT in Kota Kinabalu.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
630 ±5
|
CFR Penang
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
635 ±5
|
CFR Kota Kinabalu
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
625 ±5
|
CFR Port Klang
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
628 ±5
|
CFR Pasir Gudang
|
Vietnam also moves higher. Haiphong reaches USD 645/MT ±5 CFR, while Ho Chi Minh rises to USD 625/MT ±5 CFR as contractors continue year-end procurement.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
645 ±5
|
CFR Haiphong
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
625 ±5
|
CFR Ho Chi Minh
|
Indonesia, however, remains unchanged. Belawan holds at USD 630/MT, Jakarta at USD 640/MT and Surabaya at USD 650/MT CFR.
High import costs and limited project budgets continue to restrict Indonesian demand despite firmer regional supply conditions.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
630 ±5
|
CFR Belawan
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
640 ±5
|
CFR Jakarta
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
650 ±5
|
CFR Surabaya
|
Thailand has been reset onto a consistent CFR basis, with Bangkok at USD 640/MT ±5 and Laem Chabang at USD 635/MT ±5.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
640 ±5
|
CFR Bangkok
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
635 ±5
|
CFR Laem Chabang
|
Bangladesh Bitumen Price Edges Higher
Bangladesh also posts a modest increase.
Chittagong 60/70 drum rises to USD 525/MT ±5 CFR.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
525 ±5
|
CFR Chittagong
|
The firmer Iraqi reference and continuing route costs support the increase, although cautious buying prevents a larger adjustment.
Sri Lanka, by comparison, remains unchanged at USD 650/MT ±5 CFR Colombo.
Australia and South Africa Continue Higher
Australia records another weekly increase.
Brisbane 60/70 drum reaches USD 870/MT ±5 CIF, while jumbo bag rises to USD 845/MT ±5 CIF.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
870 ±5
|
CIF Brisbane
|
|
60/70 (Jumbo Bag)
|
845 ±5
|
CIF Brisbane
|
The USD 10/MT increase reflects higher Asian replacement and shipping costs.
South Africa also edges higher, although the movement is smaller. Durban 60/70 drum reaches USD 880/MT ±5 CFR, while domestic 50/70 bulk rises to USD 895–925/MT EXW South Africa.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
880 ±5
|
CFR Durban
|
|
50/70 (bulk truck)
|
895-925
|
EXW South Africa
|
European Bitumen Prices Move Higher
Europe is no longer completely stable.
Germany, Spain and Italy each record approximately USD 5/MT increases across key assessments as feedstock and replacement costs rise.
In Germany, Hamburg 60/70 drum increases to USD 705/MT ±5 CFR, while bulk reaches USD 675/MT ±5 CFR. Domestic bulk rises to USD 705–720/MT EXW.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
705 ±5
|
CFR Hamburg
|
|
60/70 (bulk)
|
675 ±5
|
CFR Hamburg
|
|
50/70-70/100 (bulk truck)
|
705-720
|
EXW Germany
|
Spain follows the same direction. Barcelona drum rises to USD 720/MT ±5 CFR and bulk to USD 690/MT ±5, while Valencia reaches USD 715/MT for drum and USD 685/MT for bulk.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
50/70 (drum)
|
720 ±5
|
CFR Barcelona
|
|
50/70 (bulk)
|
690 ±5
|
CFR Barcelona
|
|
50/70 (drum)
|
715 ±5
|
CFR Valencia
|
|
50/70 (bulk)
|
685 ±5
|
CFR Valencia
|
|
50/70 (bulk truck)
|
685-705
|
EXW Spain
|
Italy also firms. Genoa drum reaches USD 630/MT ±5 CFR, while bulk rises to USD 580/MT ±5. La Spezia remains USD 5/MT below Genoa, and domestic bulk increases to USD 600–620/MT EXW Italy.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
50/70 (drum)
|
630 ±5
|
CFR Genoa
|
|
50/70 (bulk)
|
580 ±5
|
CFR Genoa
|
|
50/70 (drum)
|
625 ±5
|
CFR La Spezia
|
|
50/70 (bulk)
|
575 ±5
|
CFR La Spezia
|
|
50/70 (bulk truck)
|
600-620
|
EXW Italy
|
The gradual increase in European bitumen prices suggests that higher feedstock and Mediterranean replacement costs are beginning to pass through to buyers.
Long-Haul Markets Stay More Stable
Not all international markets are reacting to the regional price changes.
Iran-origin 60/70 material into Novorossiysk remains at USD 610–640/MT CFR, while Brazil's Santos assessment stays at USD 645–680/MT CFR.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (Iran-origin import)
|
610-640
|
CFR Novorossiysk
Origin: FOB Bandar Abbas, Iran
|
|
BND road grade (bulk)
|
425 ±5
|
EXW / refinery-market index; VAT excluded
|
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70
|
645-680
|
CFR Santos
Origin: FOB Bandar Abbas, Iran
|
Venezuelan FOB assessments are also unchanged across Jose Terminal, Puerto La Cruz and Amuay.
|
Date
|
Bitumen Grade
|
Price (USD/MT)
|
Price Basis
|
|
Third Week of October 2026
|
60/70 (drum)
|
655 ±5
|
FOB Jose Terminal
|
|
60/70 (bulk)
|
590 ±5
|
FOB Jose Terminal
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
646 ±5
|
FOB Puerto La Cruz
|
|
60/70 (bulk)
|
571 ±5
|
FOB Puerto La Cruz
|
|
60/70 (drum)
|
634 ±5
|
FOB Amuay
|
|
60/70 (bulk)
|
554 ±5
|
FOB Amuay
|
Long-haul freight, insurance and cargo timing continue to reduce the speed at which weekly FOB movements are reflected in delivered market prices.
What the Third-Week October Bitumen Prices Tell Buyers
The most important development this week is not simply whether global bitumen prices are rising or falling.
It is the growing separation between regional markets.
India is rising strongly while China is correcting lower. Singapore is climbing while South Korea softens slightly. Malaysia and Vietnam move higher while Indonesia remains flat. Iran and Iraq strengthen while Jebel Ali and Mersin remain unchanged.
This means buyers increasingly need to compare:
- Origin
- Bitumen grade
- Packing
- FOB versus CFR basis
- Freight
- Refinery availability
- Local demand
- Import availability
- Replacement cost
A cheaper headline bitumen price does not automatically mean a cheaper delivered cargo.
October Bitumen Prices Enter a More Fragmented Phase
The third week of October confirms that the global bitumen market has entered a more differentiated pricing phase.
Asian markets are no longer moving together. Middle Eastern producer prices are firmer, while European replacement costs are gradually rising. Long-haul destinations remain more resistant to short-term weekly movements because freight and logistics continue to dominate delivered economics.
For traders and procurement teams, the widening gap between individual markets may create both opportunities and risks as October progresses.
Latest Global Bitumen Prices on WPB
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