Petroleum bitumen market in Russia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian petroleum bitumen market volume increased from 6.7 million tons in 2018 to 7.9 million tons in 2021. This expansion was supported by major producers like Gazprom Neft and Rosneft, which modernized production and introduced advanced polymer-modified bitumen binders. In 2019, sales of these binders grew by 22% year-on-year. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic demand for road construction materials remained strong, and the introduction of the new GOST R 58829-2020 standard in 2020 helped formalize quality requirements for different climatic conditions.

Market volume declined to 7.4 million tons in 2022, a shift that coincided with the introduction of adjusted export duties on petroleum bitumen, affecting trade economics. During this period, manufacturers continued to focus on developing high-tech bitumen formulations for more durable road surfaces. In 2023, the market stabilized and showed a slight recovery, reaching 7.5 million tons.

Production petroleum bitumen in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Petroleum bitumen production in Russia has been growing for three consecutive years. In 2020, Russia produced 7 649 thousand tons of petroleum bitumen, representing an 8.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports petroleum bitumen from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 206.0 thousand tons, then climbed to their peak in 2020 at 392.4 thousand tons—a 1.9-fold increase. In 2020, foreign petroleum bitumen supplies from Russia surged by 90.5% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Russia's petroleum bitumen exports in kind were Ukraine (20.2% of exports), Kyrgyzstan (16.3% of exports), and Mongolia (15.0% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 51.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Russia's petroleum bitumen export value amounted to 87 898 thousand US dollars, marking a 27.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 51.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 20.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 50.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, Ukraine (22.2% of exports in value terms), Mongolia (21.4% of exports in value terms), and Kyrgyzstan (14.0% of exports in value terms) remained the key partners for Russia's petroleum bitumen exports. Together, they accounted for 57.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020

Imports petroleum bitumen to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 6.1 thousand tons, then varied significantly, with a peak in 2017—resulting in an 8.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Russia's volume of petroleum bitumen imports stood at 7.2 thousand tons, equivalent to a steep decline of 74.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 88.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 361.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Belarus concentrated almost all of Russia's petroleum bitumen imports in kind, with a share of 94.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020, with a peak in 2017—resulting in a 9.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, petroleum bitumen shipments to Russia from abroad totaled 995 thousand US dollars, down by 74.0% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 82.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 118.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus concentrated most of Russia's petroleum bitumen imports in value terms, taking 89.7% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2017-2020