Demand for welded pipes in the UAE has remained quite steady, enabling local producers to maintain their domestic prices at the month-ago levels. Over the same period, import offers of Chinese welded pipes have declined by $10-20/mt, while quotations of Indian materials have dropped back by $20/mt. Some market players expect welded pipe prices in the UAE may move down in the coming month amid falling Asian and Indian offer prices into the Gulf countries and cheaper flat steel material in the market. Demand will likely remain firm amid improving end-user consumption.
UAE domestic prices for locally produced 1"-4" welded pipes with 2-4 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM A53 or BS 1387 are at about $730-750/mt ex-works, while 1/2" pipes are at around $740-760/mt ex-works. Prices are given on theoretical weight basis. Domestic quotations of 1"-4" welded pipes with 1.5 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM or BS 1387 are at about $760-780/mt ex-works.
Offers of Chinese ERW pipes up to 10" grade B as per ASTM are being given to the UAE market at about $640-680/mt CFR.
Indian suppliers are offering ERW pipes, 1"-6" as per BS 1387 (light series), to the UAE at $730-760/mt CFR on actual weight basis.