There were no great changes in the Bulgarian welded pipe market for most of the past two weeks - at least until the current week when prices started to decline again. Over the two weeks in question, demand for welded pipes from both local and foreign consumers has remained sluggish, and it appears that this sluggishness has caused welded pipe prices to enter a downtrend this week. Domestic quotations have dropped by $15-20/mt compared to two weeks ago. Meanwhile, export prices of welded pipes from Bulgarian manufacturers have decreased by $20-25/mt over the same time interval.
In the coming short-term period, Bulgarian welded pipe producers hope to keep their prices at present levels. However, as demand from end-users is expected to deteriorate in winter, welded pipe prices are likely to continue to fall down.
Domestic quotations of welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC according to EN 10219 are at the level of €430-450/mt ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on actual weight basis. Domestic prices of ERW pipes of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at €480-500/mt ex-works.
Export offers of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are being given at about €400-440/mt ex-works on a theoretical weight basis. Export prices of ERW pipes of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from СRC are at around €520-530/mt ex-works.
Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €450-460/mt ex-works.