Demand for Bulgarian welded pipes continues to be much stronger from foreign customers, while demand in the domestic market is still weak. Export and domestic quotations of welded pipes from Bulgarian producers have continued to rise on the back of higher costs for flats from the CIS and Europe. Over the past two weeks, export prices for Bulgarian welded pipes have risen by €60-80/mt, while domestic prices have increased by a maximum of €30/mt. Bulgarian producers are still waiting for a reaction from buyers to the new higher prices. However, market players think that customers will have to accept the new pipe quotations as European suppliers have already increased their flats offers.
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC according to EN 10219 are being given to the domestic market at around €620-640/mt ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on actual weight basis. Offers of similar pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC are in the range €650-670/mt ex-works. Domestic quotations of water and gas ERW pipes made to EN 10255 are at €640-660/mt ex-works.
Export quotations of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are at the level of €650-690/mt ex-works on actual weight basis for June-July production. Offers of similar pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN10219 are in the range of €680-720/mt ex-works. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €670-710/mt ex-works.