The Iranian market for welded pipes is silent due to the Iranian New Year celebrations as most Iranian buyers have left the market until the beginning of April. Meanwhile, Iranian welded pipe producers have increased their domestic prices by $15-30/mt over the past month, while local stockists have maintained their offers at the previous levels. Some market participants hope that the economy will receive new impetus after the holidays and that demand for welded pipes will increase amid higher activity of consuming industries. However, market insiders are waiting for the new Iranian year to see the government's new budget and the exchange rate influences on the market, and so the market may remain silent for another while.
Iranian producers' current domestic prices for 6"-8" welded pipes with 2 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM/API are at $900-915/mt ex-works, while quotations of 12"-14" pipes are at about $1,030-1,050/mt ex-works. Prices are exclusive of four percent VAT.
Local stockists' prices for welded pipes of ¾"-3" size from Iranian producers are currently varying at around $950-1,015/mt ex-warehouse, compared to $955-1,020/mt ex-warehouse one month ago. Offers of 20 x 20 mm - 100 x 100 mm hollow sections ex-warehouse Tehran are on average at $910-935/mt, compared to $910-940/mt ex-warehouse one month ago.
Chinese welded pipes, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A53/API 5L, are currently being offered to the Iranian market at $790-850/mt CFR, compared to $800-840/mt CFR one month ago. However, sanctions against Iran and banking troubles for importers made the situation as regards imports more difficult.
Iranian stockists' prices for local production welded pipes:
($/t, ex-warehouse, cash payment)
Diameter Price Change*
3/4" 1,015 -5
1" 1,000 0
1 1/4" 1,000 0
1 ½" 1,010 0
2" 1,000 0
2 ½" 970 0
3" 950 -5
*over the past month