Demand for welded pipes in the Bulgarian market remains slack amid lackluster buying by domestic consuming industries, while the purchasing activity of foreign buyers is getting better. However, over the past two weeks domestic and export prices for welded pipes in Bulgaria have remained unchanged. Market insiders expect to see a gradual demand recovery in the coming period, and so Bulgarian suppliers may attempt a price increase.
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 €530-540/mt ($703-716/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 the level of €550-560/mt ($729-743/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for September production, and at €570-580/mt ($756-769/mt) ex-works for lots less than 1,000 mt. Export offers of Bulgarian pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN 10219 are at around €580-590/mt ($769-782/mt) ex-works. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €570-580/mt ($756-769/mt) ex-works.
€1 = $1.326