Demand for Bulgarian welded pipe from foreign markets is strong and prices for the product are expected to continue rising until at least June on the back of higher feedstock costs. Orders for Bulgaria's welded pipe are especially strong from Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Lithuania, but purchasing within the domestic market remains low. Market insiders report that the strong external demand is due to the competitive prices of Bulgarian welded pipes in the European market and the financial strength of foreign buyers. Domestic quotations of welded pipes from Bulgarian producers have increased by €40-80/mt over the past three weeks, while their export prices have risen by €10-30/mt in the same period.
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC according to EN 10219 are being given to the domestic market at around €590-640/mt ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on actual weight basis. Offers of similar pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC are in the range €620-670/mt ex-works. Domestic quotations of water and gas ERW pipes made to EN 10255 are at €610-660/mt ex-works.
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 €570-630/mt ex-works on a theoretical weight basis, but are expected to rise to €650-660/mt for June production. Offers of similar pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from DC01 grade HRC as per EN10219 are in the range of €650-670/mt ex-works. ERW pipes with 1.2-1.4 mm wall thickness made from CR steel are priced in the foreign markets at about €695-705/mt ex-works. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €590-650/mt ex-works. ERW galvanized pipes with 2-3 mm wall thickness made to DIN 2440/2444 are quoted in the foreign markets at on average €800-820/mt ex-works.