The Polish welded pipe market is seeing slack demand for material from both local and foreign producers during the summer holiday season. Prices for domestic welded pipes have dropped by €60-70/mt over the past month, while export offers have declined by €50-80/mt. Polish manufacturers anticipate slightly fewer shipments for welded pipes in the third quarter of 2010, because of a reduced rate of orders and typical seasonal variations. However, welded pipe makers in Poland believe that 2010 will be better than 2009, though the Polish economy remains unstable. A significant increase in demand for welded pipes can be expected only from foreign buyers.
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 €620-650/mt ex-works, exclusive of 22 percent VAT. Domestic quotations of water and gas ERW pipes of 2.0-4.5 mm wall thickness made to EN 10255 are at €640-670/mt ex-works.
Export quotations of Polish 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 €580-620/mt FCA. Offers of similar pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN10219 are in the range of €620-660/mt FCA.