Bitumen prices in north and central Europe went down this week. The weather is cold and winter has started, so construction work has become slow. In Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, domestic truck prices became lower. Export prices to Germany, Slovakia, and central Europe also went down. But in Hungary and Romania, prices became a little higher because refineries had low supply. Cargo prices also fell a lot. This happened because Rotterdam HSFO barge prices became weaker and buyers in Nordic and northwest Europe did not want to buy more, as winter stopped asphalt work.
Germany, Demand Goes Down Because of Winter
In Germany, domestic truck prices went down by €5/t in most areas. The weather became colder and wetter, so road work slowed and sellers wanted to reduce stocks before the end of the year.
A fire at the Brunsbüttel refinery and the turnaround at Shell’s Godorf refinery did not change the market much because demand was already low.
In south and southwest Germany, bigger buyers got extra discounts because supply was still enough.
Poland & Czech Republic, Prices Go Down Because Supply Is High
Polish domestic and export prices fell by €15/t. Refineries had a lot of supply, but consumption became very low fast.
Exports to Germany also went down to €340–355/t factory price.
In the Czech Republic, domestic truck prices fell by €15/t to €345–355/t factory price because snow stopped construction.
Export prices to Germany followed the same trend and fell to €315–325/t factory price.
Poland, Market Oversupply Deepens
Polish domestic prices fell by €15/t to €380–390/t as suppliers had a hard time with slow sales. Export prices to Germany also dropped to €365–380/t. With few new offers issued and winter coming to a close, oversupply is expected to continue through November.
Romania & Hungary, Prices Go Up a Bit Because Supply Is Limited
In Hungary, domestic prices increased by €5/t to €415–425/t factory price. The Mol Százhalombatta refinery still works at only 50–55% because of fire damage.
Truck prices from Hungary and Poland to Romania also increased by €7–8/t because there was not enough supply in the region.
Romanian domestic prices also became €7–8/t higher because less product came from usual suppliers like NIS Pancevo and Lukoil Burgas.
Austria & Balkans, Regional Supply Is Still Limited
Balkan markets had low supply because Burgas was still offline and Pancevo was close to shutting down (not enough crude).
Only small truck volumes were sold for Serbian domestic needs, and there were no exports.
Greece helped fill the supply gap. Thessaloniki offered bitumen at €380–385/t factory price.
Benelux, Stable but Becoming Weaker
Truck prices in Rotterdam and Antwerp stayed at €440–455/t factory price. But demand became weaker as asphalt plants prepared to close for winter.
Rubis Asphalt will start operating the ATPC terminal in Antwerp in January 2026, which will help suppliers make contracts for future supply and shipping.
France, Slow Activity Because of Weather and Funding Problems
French domestic delivered prices stayed at €440–455/t in the north and center, and €430–440/t in the south.
Consumption this year is about 7% lower because of weak infrastructure funding and political uncertainty.
Refineries had a lot of supply and tried to clear stocks before winter.
Nordics & Baltics, Work Almost Stopped
Nordic asphalt plants kept shutting down because of freezing temperatures.
Demand became very low. Even with cheaper cargo prices (linked to HSFO), buyers did not want to buy.
Lithuania’s Mazeikiai refinery kept prices stable at €400/t for 50/70 and 70/100, and €422/t for 100/150 and 160/220.
UK & Ireland, Slow Because of Weather
South UK truck prices stayed at £380–395/t delivered. But flooding and then cold weather reduced construction work.
Storm Claudia also caused problems in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, reducing bitumen use.
A cargo from Port Jerome will arrive in Dublin on 24 November.
Outlook
North and central European bitumen markets will stay weak during winter.
Demand will stay low because cold weather stops paving work in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Nordics.
Hungary and Romania may keep higher prices because supply is limited.
But in general, the market is soft because stocks are high, cargo demand is low, and HSFO prices are weaker.
Trading will stay slow until late February or early March, when work starts for the 2026 paving season.
Bitumen Price In Europe
Updated Bitumen 60/70 Price in Europe
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