Trading activity in the Turkish welded pipe market has remained weak as there are no signs of demand release from consuming industries. Over the past two weeks, domestic prices for Turkish welded pipes have decreased by a maximum of $10/mt due to softer flat steel quotations, ongoing weak demand and problems with cash flow in the market, while export offers have stayed unchanged. Market players report firmer demand from foreign buyers, especially from North Africa, with the strengthening of the US dollar against the Turkish lira and due to better weather conditions. Meanwhile, there are no signs that the domestic market situation will improve soon. Turkish pipe producers hope to maintain their prices at the current levels in the coming period, but local buyers are insisting on further price reductions due to low demand.
Most offers of Turkish ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from hot rolled coil (HRC) of S235 grade as per EN 10219 are being given to the domestic market at about $550-570/mt ex-works on actual weight basis
Turkish producers are offering ERW pipes and hollow sections made from HRC of steel grade S235 JRH as per EN 10219 to foreign customers at around $540-560/mt FOB. Water and gas ERW pipes with 20-114 mm diameter and with 2.0-4.5 mm wall thickness made to EN 10255 from S235 grade HR products are being offered for export at about $570-600/mt FOB.