Welded pipe prices have started to rebound in Bulgaria on the back of rising flat steel prices and the anticipated pickup in demand from European customers given their low stock levels. Domestic and export offers of Bulgarian welded pipes have increased by €10-20/mt over the past two weeks. However, the domestic market remains depressed due to low construction activity in the country. It is expected that Bulgarian welded pipe producers will maintain quotations at current levels in the coming period as buyers still remain cautious and are mostly standing back and observing the market situation.
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 €580-590/mt ($775-788/mt) ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on theoretical weight basis.
Most offers of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are being given to foreign customers at the level of €540-560/mt ($721-748/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for February production, though €10-20/mt discounts are still possible for big orders. Offers of similar Bulgarian pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN 10219 are at around €570-590/mt ($761-788/mt) ex-works for February rolling. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €560-580/mt ($748-775/mt) ex-works.
€1 = $1.335