The Bulgarian welded pipe market is still facing slack activity in most consuming industries, falling feedstock prices and the softening trend in the global markets. However, welded pipe quotations from Bulgarian producers have remained unchanged over the past two weeks amid a small uptick in bookings from overseas buyers.
Meanwhile, market operators do not expect any significant improvement in the coming period considering sluggish demand, tight competition with other suppliers and a forecast drop in raw material prices.
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 €530-550/mt ($684-710/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 the level of €500-510/mt ($645-658/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for May-June production, and at €520-530/mt ($671-684/mt) ex-works for lots less than 1,000 mt. Export offers of similar Bulgarian pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN 10219 are at around €530-560/mt ($684-723/mt) ex-works. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €520-540/mt ($671-697/mt) ex-works.
€1 = $1.29