Demand for asphalt in Brazil is forecast to remain robust in 2025, fueled by an ambitious slate of highway projects. The Ministry of Transportation has announced plans for 15 auctions, encompassing 7,000km of roadway projects across federal and state levels—up significantly from last year’s 10 auctions for 4,000km.
This surge defies the usual trend of diminished asphalt demand in non-election years. The federal government has allocated $2.6bn for the National Department of Transportation Infrastructure in 2025, signaling a strong commitment to infrastructure development under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration.
According to Argus Media, Brazil has historically sourced its bitumen from Petrobras, the state-controlled oil company, which produces it as a byproduct of refining heavy crude oil. Despite Petrobras’s significant domestic production, operational challenges and growing demand have necessitated increasing imports over the years. In 2024, Brazil’s domestic asphalt sales exceeded production by an average of 18%, forcing reliance on foreign suppliers.
Imports from the United States Gulf Coast have played a critical role in bridging this gap. U.S. Gulf refineries, known for their high-quality bitumen, supplied 300,000 tons to Brazil in the first 11 months of 2024. October saw a record surge in U.S. exports to Brazil as domestic demand soared, driven by record highway projects and infrastructure programs.
Petrobras projects asphalt sales of 2.7mn tons in 2025, slightly higher than 2024’s levels. The year 2024 has already been a milestone for Brazil’s asphalt market, with sales through October hitting 2.76mn tons—10% higher year-on-year and the highest level since 2014.
With ambitious roadway projects, including 7,000km planned for 2025, imports are likely to remain a key part of Brazil’s supply strategy. The U.S., along with occasional contributions from Venezuela and the Middle East, is expected to play a vital role in meeting demand as the country continues to invest in infrastructure development.
