According to Derzhzovnishinform (DZI), the Ukrainian national research and information center for monitoring international commodity markets, Ukrainian export prices of steel pipes will rise by 8-10 percent up to the end of the second quarter of the current year, while domestic steel pipe quotations will increase by not more than 5-6 percent in the same period. Ukrainian steel pipe prices are expected to be pushed up by projected increases in round billet prices and the high seasonal demand for steel pipes in April-June.
Current Ukrainian export prices of 57-325 mm seamless pipes of steel grade 10, 20 made to GOST 8732 are at the level of $1,000-1,200/mt FOB, while export quotations of 15-114 mm welded pipes as per GOST 3262 are at $800-820/mt FOB.
For Q3 of the current year, DZI predicts a stabilization of steel pipe prices in Ukraine's domestic and export markets. DZI also predicts a year-on-year increase of 15-21 percent in Ukrainian steel pipe production to 2.0-2.1 million mt in 2011.