The Bulgarian welded pipe market has registered a steady price trend over the past three weeks amid low buying activity and stagnant coil prices. Market players report that buying activity is feeble in the Bulgaria domestic market and there are no factors providing support for a rebound in the near future, while demand in the European market, the main export destination for Bulgarian welded pipes, is steadier. Bulgarian producers do not hope to strengthen their positions in the short term considering the current market outlook.
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 ($720-727/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 ($649-677/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for May production. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €490-510/mt ($677-704/mt) ex-works.
$1 = BGN 1.416
€1 = $1.38