The Bulgarian market for welded pipes has not witnessed any substantial changes in prices in the last two weeks. Demand has weakened further with the start of the vacation season in Europe. Meanwhile, most Bulgarian producers have preferred to leave both their domestic and export prices of welded pipes unchanged from the levels of two weeks ago, as they are booked with orders for August. Most market players believe that prices will remain at current levels in the near term, but some producers may start to raise their offers in late August, expecting demand to strengthen after the summer holidays.
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 €560-570/mt ($689-701/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 €500-520/mt ($615-640/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for August production. Offers of similar Bulgarian pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN 10219 are at around €530-550/mt ($652-677/mt) ex-works for August rolling. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €520-540/mt ($640-664/mt) ex-works.
€1 = $1.23