In the Bulgarian market demand for welded pipes from domestic buyers remains extremely low and does not allow producers to increase prices. At the same time, Bulgarian producers have managed to keep their export prices at the levels of two weeks ago due to the generally steadier European market - the main export destination for Bulgarian welded pipes. As a result, Bulgaria's domestic and export prices for ERW pipes and hollow sections have remained unchanged over the past two weeks. Offers of import Turkish ERW pipes to the Bulgarian market are unchanged over the same period. Market participants expect that this stable price trend will continue in the coming two-week period.
In particular, domestic prices for local production electro-welded steel pipes and hollow sections with 2-5 mm wall thickness according to EN 10219 made from S235JR grade HR products are at about €400-420/mt ex-works, excluding 20 percent VAT and on actual weight basis. Offers of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections with 1.2-1.5 mm wall thickness made from CR products are being given to the domestic market at €500-510/mt ex-works.
Export prices for Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC are about €390-400/mt ex-works on a theoretical weight basis.
ERW pipes with 1.2-1.4 mm wall thickness made from CR steel are priced in the foreign markets at about €510/mt ex-works. Export prices for galvanized ERW pipes made according to DIN 2440/2444 are at €680/mt ex-works.
Turkish ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC are being offered to the Bulgarian market at €435-455/mt CPT.