Global bitumen markets moved into a seasonal transition phase this week. Winter conditions, weather disruptions, refinery maintenance, and shifting logistics flows reshaped regional demand patterns across Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
Construction activity across North and Central Europe slowed sharply as winter weather and holiday shutdowns took hold. Asphalt plants closed progressively, reducing immediate material requirements and limiting spot demand.
Cargo movements into Northwest Europe and Scandinavia declined as buyers focused on managing existing inventories rather than securing new shipments. Maintenance work at several refining and storage facilities further influenced supply planning.
Despite the slowdown, early contract discussions for 2026 continued, with buyers positioning themselves ahead of next year’s infrastructure schedules.
West Africa remained the most active region, supported by dry-season road construction and strong terminal throughput. Multiple cargoes arrived to meet project demand, keeping logistics networks busy.
East Africa began slowing as contractors prepared for holiday recesses, though longer-term infrastructure plans remained intact. Southern Africa shifted toward storage-led strategies as construction activity paused.
Across the continent, planning for 2026 road and highway projects intensified, with importers and contractors aligning supply strategies early.
Persistent rainfall and flooding disrupted construction activity across Southeast Asia, delaying roadworks and pushing procurement decisions into early next year.
China continued to experience muted demand due to seasonal slowdowns and constrained project activity, while export availability from Northeast Asia remained steady.
Vietnam and parts of Southeast Asia adopted cautious buying strategies, prioritizing inventory control and short-term flexibility amid uncertain weather conditions.
As markets transition into year-end mode, attention is shifting toward early-year demand recovery and infrastructure execution. Monitoring weather normalization, refinery operations, and regional procurement strategies will be critical over the next 4–6 weeks.