Bulgarian welded pipe makers have seen somewhat stronger business activity from foreign buyers as they try to replenish their stocks before the anticipated higher prices in March, while buying activity in the domestic market has remained at minimal levels amid weak demand from consuming industries. Over the past two weeks, domestic and export quotations for Bulgarian welded pipes for February production have stayed at the previous price range, while export prices for March production material have moved up by €10-20/mt as compared to offers of February production pipes on the back of the upturn in the flat steel segment, higher transportation costs and the expected surge in demand in spring.
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade hot rolled coil (HRC) according to EN 10219 are being given to the Bulgarian domestic market at around €610-615/mt (BGN 1,200/mt) ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on theoretical weight basis. Offers of welded pipes with wall thickness of 1.4 mm made from cold rolled coil (CRC) are at around €715-720/mt (BGN 1,400-1,410/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 €570-580/mt ex-works on theoretical weight basis for February production and at €580-600/mt ex-works for March production. Offers of similar Bulgarian pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN 10219 are at around €600-610/mt ex-works for February rolling and at €610-630/mt ex-work for March rolling. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €580-600/mt ex-works.