Cargo prices in northwest Europe went up during the week ending 26 September, but slow spot demand pushed Rotterdam cargo extra cost against HSFO lower by $2–3/t, finishing around $20/t. Domestic truck prices were steady in most northwest European markets before October contract talks, though central and eastern European countries went down. The average Rotterdam HSFO barge price for 1–25 September was $384.87/t, down from $400.46/t in August. Regional supply stayed large despite refinery repair work in Austria (OMV Schwechat) and Germany (Heide), with demand only slowly recovering after the summer holiday slowdown.
UK & Ireland: Stable but Quiet
Domestic south UK truck prices were unchanged at £390–405/t delivered, showing steady demand. No new import cargoes were recorded during the week, except for one shipment to Teesside on board the Asphalt Spirit. UK bitumen consumption fell 8% year on year in Q2 2025 to 361,000t, raising hopes that the government’s November budget will give/set aside more infrastructure funding.
France: Regional Differences
Truck prices in northern and central France held at €455–470/t delivered, while southern France dropped by €12–13/t to €445–455/t delivered after strong supplier discounts. Consumption grew 3.5% y-o-y in July to 285,000t, and activity grew in September post-holidays. A two-day strike at ExxonMobil’s Port-Jérôme refinery shortly stopped truck supply. Meanwhile, the Iver Ambassador delivered a Rotterdam cargo into Nantes, the first since early August.
Benelux: Steady Before October
Truck prices in Rotterdam and Antwerp held steady at €455–470/t ex-works. Market activity was broadly in line with last year. Shell’s Pernis refinery shutdown (mid-September–November) has so far not changed bitumen supply.
Germany: Stable Prices, Better Outlook
Nationwide truck prices were unchanged at €418–430/t ex-works, supported by strong supply and weak demand. The new German budget set aside significant infrastructure funding, which could increase demand in the coming months. Repair work is planned at Shell’s Godorf refinery in October–November, though contractual supplies should remain safe.
Poland, Czech Republic & Ukraine: Falling Prices
Polish domestic truck prices fell €5/t to €390–400/t, while Czech prices went down €7–8/t to €385–400/t. Exports from Litvínov refinery to Germany dropped to €365–375/t, down €17–18/t. Polish demand showed slight improvement but remained weak overall. In Ukraine, imports from Poland fell in price, with Orlen lowering trucked deliveries to €385–395/t, the lowest since October 2021. Domestic Ukrainian prices also went back by about 250 hryvnia/t.
Romania, Hungary, Austria & Balkans: Sanctions and Quiet Activity
Hungarian truck prices fell €5/t to €430–440/t, while exports to Romania dropped to €415–430/t. Romania’s activity remained quiet, while Bulgarian domestic prices rose by €15–16/t to €395–407/t. In Serbia, upcoming US sanctions on NIS (from 1 October) are expected to halt most exports, raising worries over regional supply. OMV’s Schwechat repair work and Trafigura’s cargo discharge into Split provided some relief for Balkan markets.
Nordics & Baltics: Demand Still Strong
Nordic demand stayed firm, particularly in Sweden, driven by ongoing infrastructure upgrades. Asphalt plants in the north are expected to close by late October, while southern demand continues into Q4. Lithuanian Mazeikiai refinery kept truck prices unchanged at €415/t (pen 50/70 and 70/100) and €437/t (pen 100/150 and 160/220), though upcoming October repair work will lower output.
Outlook
September is looking like a month of differences: some regions are showing new progress, while others are weighed down by oversupply. Central Europe could recover modestly thanks to seasonal activity, but oversupply in the Balkans and political uncertainty in France and the UK keep risks high. The Nordics and Baltics may make less supply in October as refinery repair work hits, adding another layer to Europe’s uneven market story.
Bitumen Price In Europe
Updated Bitumen 60/70 Price in Europe
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