The most commonly heard spot price transaction range for US domestic Grade A ERW BPE has softened by $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) since our last report a week ago, which brings the current average spot market price transaction range to $48-$49 cwt. ($1058-$1080/mt or $960-$980/nt), ex-mill; the downward pricing pressure is directly linked to ongoing softness within the US domestic hot rolled coil spot market.
Other sources close to SteelOrbis have said that although demand continues to be steady, pipe mills have shown an increased willingness to offer deals to customers. “Anyone who is looking to book heavy tonnages can easily negotiate a better price,” a source said.
In terms of imports, the US Department of Commerce indicates that for the month of April, the US imported 95,471 mt (license data) of standard pipe from global sources. The most significant offshore source was Korea, at 13,761 mt. (license data)