As October closed, the global bitumen market reflected a blend of seasonal transitions and operational adjustments. European supply chains managed refinery outages, African markets intensified import activity ahead of year-end projects, and Asian demand softened under persistent rainfall. Despite regional contrasts, one trend stood out — logistics agility remained central to market resilience.
Across north and central Europe, activity varied sharply. Germany’s supply tightened following refinery incidents at Brunsbuettel and Heide, causing localized shortages and slower deliveries. Meanwhile, southern regions such as Bavaria benefited from consistent refinery operations that kept supply steady.
Benelux markets anticipated structural change as Rubis Asphalt finalized control of a major terminal from 2026, signaling evolving distribution strategies. Eastern Europe, including Poland and the Czech Republic, faced early winter conditions that halted projects and swelled storage levels. In France and the UK, roadworks persisted under mild weather, but buyers had begun focusing on 2026 procurement planning.
The Nordics entered their usual seasonal pause, while Baltic refiners returned to normal output after maintenance — ensuring balanced supply heading into November.
African trade lanes remained among the busiest globally. North African nations — especially Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco — continued importing heavily to meet government project deadlines before colder conditions arrive. Greek refineries became the primary suppliers as Italian units extended maintenance schedules.
In sub-Saharan Africa, import activity surged. South Africa received multiple shipments to Durban and Cape Town, compensating for the absence of domestic production. Contractors accelerated roadworks ahead of the December holiday slowdown.
West Africa saw rising activity in Nigeria, Senegal, and Angola with favorable weather supporting project execution. Ivory Coast’s refinery restart restored stability, while East African nations such as Kenya and Tanzania struggled with heavy rain disrupting progress.
The Asian market maintained a cautious tone as rain and monsoon effects slowed operations across key economies. Southeast Asia’s construction sector experienced deferred procurement, leaving traders in Singapore and neighboring ports with unsold volumes.
China and South Korea kept exports consistent, using shipping flexibility to balance limited regional uptake. Meanwhile, refineries in South Asia operated steadily but faced softer domestic demand due to project postponements.
Across the region, logistical discipline and inventory control became the focus, ensuring readiness once the weather window reopens for infrastructure work in late Q4.
As the industry transitions into November, attention turns to supply recovery in Europe, import scheduling in Africa, and post-monsoon rebound in Asia. Market participants should monitor refinery restarts, shipping availability, and weather-linked project restarts to position effectively for early 2026 construction demand.