Activity has been slack in the Bulgarian domestic welded pipe market due to low pipe consumption in the country. Local welded pipe prices have declined by around BGN 30-40/mt ($24-32/mt) over the past two weeks amid extremely poor buying activity in the domestic market. Without favorable news from downstream industries, market players have no confidence in the prospects for a market recovery. At the same time, export offers of Bulgarian welded pipes have increased by €15-25/mt ($17-30/mt) due to stronger demand from foreign buyers. Market insiders predict that welded pipe prices in Bulgaria may remain firm in the short run.
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 BGN 980-1,000/mt ($685-699/mt) ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on theoretical weight basis.
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 levels of €500-530/mt ($685-726/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for June production. In particular, export offers of Bulgarian pipes to Germany are at levels of €500-510/mt ($685-699/mt) ex-works, while offers to Poland are at €520-530/mt ($712-726/mt) ex-works. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €520-550/mt ($712-754/mt) ex-works.
$1 = BGN 1.43
€1 = $1.37