This week’s global bitumen market update highlights how seasonal shifts, refinery maintenance, and regional weather continue to shape supply and demand dynamics. From Europe’s steady but cautious activity, to Africa’s weather-driven delays, and Asia’s procurement hesitations, the market shows signs of both resilience and uncertainty.
In northwest and central Europe, refinery maintenance at Schwechat (Austria) and Heide (Germany) constrained supply, though overall demand stayed moderate. Truck prices held steady across key hubs, reflecting a balanced but cautious market.
The UK saw declining consumption levels, prompting industry watchers to look toward November’s budget for fresh infrastructure allocations. France presented a mixed picture—stable in the north, but sharply lower in the south due to supplier discounts, even as national consumption rose. Nordic countries remained active, especially Sweden, where 2026 tenders are already being prepared.
West Africa struggled with heavy rainfall, halting road construction in Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. These weather conditions are expected to give way to stronger activity as the dry season begins.
North Africa, particularly Morocco and Algeria, saw busy terminals and steady vessel arrivals, fueled by robust government-backed infrastructure spending. Meanwhile, South Africa and Kenya maintained positive demand momentum, while large vessels continued to direct supply to regional hubs such as Senegal and Togo, strengthening their roles in regional logistics.
Southeast Asia’s monsoon rains slowed activity and caused buyers to delay orders. Singapore’s supply remained abundant despite refinery maintenance, creating competitive conditions.
China showed selective import growth along its eastern coast, while South Korea sustained export flows to maintain regional balance. Vietnam stood out with increased buying activity, capitalizing on available cargoes ahead of seasonal slowdowns. Overall, procurement strategies leaned toward caution, with importers adopting tactical delays in anticipation of better conditions.
With Q3 moving into its final stretch, stakeholders should closely monitor infrastructure funding announcements in Europe, seasonal recovery in African projects, and Asia’s return from weather-related slowdowns. The next 4–6 weeks will be critical for aligning supply strategies with evolving demand.