Welded pipe producers in Turkey continue to suffer from rising prices for flat products and low demand from local and foreign customers. Currently, just some small interest in purchases is being observed from North African countries. Over the past month export prices of welded pipes from Turkish producers have increased by $20-30/mt, while domestic quotations have risen by $10-45/mt. Market players are concerned that another possible increase in flat material prices could complicate the situation of Turkish pipe makers. The pipe producers will be forced to raise their welded pipe prices, but due to customer resistance they will be able to achieve at most just a slight rise.
Domestic market quotations of ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC as per EN 10219/EN 10305-3 are at $740-750/mt ex-works. Water and gas ERW pipes of 2.0-5.0 mm wall thickness made to EN 10255 from S235 grade HR products are being offered to the domestic market at $760-770/mt ex-works.
Current export prices of Turkish ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC according to EN 10219 or ASTM A500 are at the level of $760-780/mt FOB. Export offers of ERW pipes and hollow sections of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at around $840-860/mt FOB, while the same products made from CRC are at $870-900/mt FOB. Water and gas ERW pipes of 2.0-4.5 mm wall thickness made to EN 10255 from S235 grade HR products are being offered for export at about $780-800/mt FOB.