The Europe and Mediterranean bitumen market is mixed this week. Prices stayed stable in some countries but fell in others as many buyers reduced purchases after the recent Middle East price spike. High prices are still slowing demand, especially in northwest Europe and North Africa. Supply is also different from one market to another. Germany remains firm because refinery output is tight, while Hungary may see better supply after Druzhba crude flows restarted. Spain has less export material because local demand is stronger, and Greece still has limited supply due to refinery delays. For now, the market seems cautious. Demand may improve with better weather and road projects, but buyers are still price-sensitive.
UK & Ireland Demand Improves with Better Weather
UK truck prices stayed at £530-540/t delivered. Better weather supported road works and imports continued into UK terminals.
No cargoes were reported into Dublin or Belfast. UK demand looks better than Ireland for now.
France Buyers Use Existing Stocks
French prices were stable at €590-605/t in the north and center, and €570-585/t in the south. Many buyers had already purchased extra volumes in March, so April demand stayed slower.
Supply in northern France was tighter because of Port Jerome maintenance. Donges maintenance in May could tighten supply further.
Benelux Market (Netherlands and Belgium) Improves After Easter
Demand improved after Easter and with better weather. Prices stayed steady at €595-605/t Rotterdam and €600-610/t Antwerp.
Some traders expect May prices to stay unchanged. Cargo arrivals into Antwerp and Dordrecht kept supply balanced.
Germany Tight Supply Supports Higher Prices
Germany stayed firm, especially in the south and southwest where supply was tightest. Prices rose €5/t to €640-655/t in the south and €630-645/t in the southwest.
Limited refinery output is the main reason. If supply stays tight, prices may remain strong in May.
Poland Demand Slows but Maintenance Nears
Polish prices fell €5/t to €585-600/t ex-works as buying slowed. High prices and project cost disputes were seen as key reasons.
Supply is still comfortable now. But Plock refinery maintenance from mid-May may tighten the market later.
Czech Republic Stable but Supply Limited
Czech prices stayed at €590-600/t ex-works. Supply from Litvinov was more limited than usual because of crude issues.
Demand seems steady but not strong. The market looks balanced for now.
Ukraine Prices Fall as Imports Increase
Import prices at the western border fell to 40,600-41,500 hryvnia/t FCA (€790-807/t with taxes). Domestic prices also dropped to 34,000-34,500 hryvnia/t FCA.
Imports in early April rose to 12,370t. Lower offers from Poland, Lithuania, and Romania helped buying.
Romania Prices Drop Sharply
Romanian prices fell €35/t to €560-575/t ex-works. Sellers lowered levels to attract buyers after recent sharp increases.
Demand remains cautious. Imports are still active.
Hungary Supply Outlook Improves
Hungary received new Druzhba crude flows on 23 April after a long stoppage. This may improve refinery supply in coming weeks.
Truck prices eased to €630-645/t ex-works. More exports may return later if crude flows continue.
Bulgaria Follows Regional Weakness
Bulgarian prices fell €9-19/t to €534-578/t ex-works. Lower nearby European values pressured the market.
Demand appears cautious. No quick recovery is visible yet.
Lithuania Expects Lower Runs
Orlen Lietuva plans to reduce crude runs by up to 30% in May. Bitumen output may fall less because some HSFO streams can be redirected.
Truck prices dropped €20/t to €600/t for hard grades and €622/t for softer grades.
Algeria & Morocco Buyers Resist High Costs
Cargo flows stayed limited because import costs remain high. Moroccan delivered premiums were around $30/t above Mediterranean HSFO cargoes.
Some cargoes still moved into Algeria and Morocco. Buyers remain cautious.
Libya, Tunisia & Egypt Imports Stay Weak
Libya and Tunisia received some cargoes this week. High prices are still limiting regular buying.
Egypt remains out of the import market. No near-term return is expected.
Spain Strong Demand Limits Exports
Spanish prices stayed at €615-630/t ex-works. Strong domestic construction demand reduced export availability.
Cargoes were scarce into May. Spain remains firm locally.
Italy Prices Ease but Demand Improves
Italian prices fell €5/t to €585-600/t ex-works. Augusta remained one of the better export supply points.
March domestic demand rose 10.7% year-on-year to 145,000t. Consumption data looks positive.
Greece Supply Still Delayed
Greek exports remained limited because Aspropyrgos refinery restart was delayed. Market participants now expect late April or early May.
No regular export cargoes were offered during shutdown. Regional supply is still affected.
March domestic demand rose 10.7% year-on-year to 145,000t. Consumption data looks positive.
Turkey Keeps Export Flow Strong
Tupras cut domestic prices by TL308/t to TL28,283/t. Export values stayed around minus $5/t to Mediterranean HSFO cargoes.
Dortyol exports remained active, with strong flows to West Africa and other markets. Turkey is still one of the region’s main suppliers.
Bitumen Price In Europe
Updated Bitumen 60/70 Price in Europe
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