The Bulgarian welded pipe market has been characterized by flagging demand over the past two weeks. Both local and foreign customers are worried and are waiting for a further drop in prices, causing demand to slow down. Domestic prices of welded pipes in Bulgaria have remained unchanged over the past fortnight, while export quotations have declined by around €10/mt ($14/mt) amid the weakening of flat steel offer prices from local and foreign suppliers. An expected further downward fluctuation in the European HRC market combined with slack demand may drag down welded pipe prices in Bulgaria in the coming period.
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 1,020-1,030/mt ($726-733/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 €470-490/mt ($654-682/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for March-April production. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €490-510/mt ($682-710/mt) ex-works.
$1 = BGN 1.4
€1 = $1.39