According to Argus report, bitumen prices were generally lacked direction last week as crude and fuel oil markets experienced high levels of volatility, while demand from some key markets wavered. 
A gradual improvement in weather conditions across north and central Europe helped to constructions and more road and highway work projects, however overall activity levels remained low, as usual for the time of year.
Most domestic and cross-border truck supply prices were unchanged because of still low call and as numerous refinery bitumen units remained shut for winter maintenance work, although Romanian domestic prices increased. 
In the Mediterranean, export cargo differentials to fuel oil were assessed unchanged, although total prices increased, supported by modest gains in Mediterranean high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) prices. 
Price trends in sub-Saharan Africa were mixed, while several cargoes were being moved into Nigerian and other west African destinations during the regional dry season for construction works. 
The Asia-Pacific bitumen market became more volatile on the back of a slide in demand from the key Chinese market. 
Supply in southeast Asia was fairly balanced, but there were talks of higher stocks in March in anticipation of weaker than earlier anticipated requests.