Demand for seamless pipes in Saudi Arabia has started to weaken and is insufficient to maintain import quotations at their previous levels. Most foreign seamless pipe suppliers have cut their offers for the Saudi Arabian market given slow construction activity due to workforce shortages and the seasonal slump. During the past month, offers of Chinese seamless pipes have declined by about $40-50/mt, while Ukrainian suppliers have cut their offers for Saudi buyers by $30-40/mt. Import quotations of South African seamless pipes have decreased by $20-30/mt over the past month, while offers of Japanese material have moved down by $25/mt. Market participants believe seamless pipe prices may remain stable in the coming period, while the market may continue to run at a slow pace before Ramadan (starts end of June).
Most offers of Chinese seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM are being given to the Saudi Arabian market at $750-800/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian seamless pipes (Interpipe) of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L to Saudi Arabia are at $1,020-1,050/mt CFR, while 8"-10" pipes are offered at around $1,040-1,070/mt CFR.
South African seamless pipes (ArcelorMittal), 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106, are quoted at around $980-1,000/mt CFR Saudi Arabia.
Quotations from Japan (NSSMC) for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L are at about $1,425-1,475/mt CFR Saudi Arabia.