Bitumen prices in South Africa are according to the import price formula. This means that bitumen and petroleum products price is dependent on supply and demand in the international market and international prices.

Stay with us until the end of the article to learn about the oil and bitumen market in South Africa.

Production and Consumption of Bitumen in South Africa

South Africa does not have crude oil reserves. For this reason, South African companies import crude oil from the Middle East and Africa.

South Africa has four bitumen production refineries, which are:

  • Sasol-Total Natref in Sasolburg
  • BP-Shell joint venture Sapref in Durban
  • Chevron’s Milnerton in Cape Town
  • Engen Petroleum Company in Durban

These refineries have faced many production problems. Currently, the only bitumen producing refinery in South Africa is Sasol-Total Natref, which produces about 108,000 b/d.

The most bitumen consumption in South Africa is for paving, which accounts for 96% of the total bitumen consumption in South Africa, and the remaining 4% is for other uses such as roofing.

Peak paving season in South Africa is from March to June each year. Winter in South Africa is from June to August. During this period, the use of some spray paving surfaces is prohibited on the road surface. In fact, the need for bitumen usually increases in spring, which are the months of September, October, and November, but the amount of consumption can be affected by seasonal rainfall.

Bitumen Import to the South African

All South African bitumen refineries, except the Sasol-Total refinery, have closed down or stopped the production of road paving oil products. Therefore with the arrival of the road paving season, the import of bitumen cargoes to South Africa has increased dramatically. Also, the increase in tender awards and funding by the roads authority Sanral has increased the need for bitumen in South Africa in 2023.

Currently, most bitumen imports are from Turkey, Pakistan, Greece, Bahrain, Iran and the Netherlands. These cargoes are supplied to South Africa through the ports of Cape Town and Durban.

Petroleum and Bitumen products market in South Africa:

BP South Africa, Chevron South Africa, Engen Petroleum, PetroSA, Sasol Oil Company, Shell South Africa, and Total South Africa are the main players in the distribution of South African oil products. They operate storage terminals and distribution facilities throughout the country. In addition, there are a limited number of non-refinery wholesalers in South Africa that distribute gasoline and diesel in South Africa.

Most of the final petroleum products used in South Africa are gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, light paraffin, kerosene, bitumen 80/100, bitumen 60/70, caustic soda, and base oil. These oil products are supplied through domestic production and imports.

Bitumen Supplier in South Africa

With more than 10 years of experience in the field of supplying bitumen and petrochemical products, we prepare customer orders from valid refineries in the Middle East. We deliver all types of bitumen in Cape Town and Durban ports to African customers.

We offer a full range of high-quality and affordable bitumen to the South African market, including penetration bitumen (grade 60/70 and 80/100), cutback bitumen, emulsion bitumen, and oxidation bitumen.

Our team has experienced experts who will guide you in choosing the product and how to order. Contact us to know the bitumen price in South Africa.

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