Several weeks ago, SteelOrbis predicted that
US domestic A-53 electric resistance welded (ERW) black plain end (BPE) Grade A standard pipe producers would start to push for higher prices, especially in light of recent firming within the flats market. And in the past two weeks, that’s exactly what happened. Prices have ticked up by approximately $2.00 cwt. ($44/mt or $40/nt) since our last two weeks ago, bringing the new approximate spot price transaction range to $47.00-$48.00 cwt. ($1,036-$1,058/mt or $940-$960/nt) ex-Midwest mill. Activity, while steady, is still described as being “nothing special”.
In terms of import prices, they too have firmed since our last report two weeks ago. Futures offer prices from both
Vietnam and
Taiwan have increased by approximately $1.50 cwt. ($33/mt or $30/nt), bringing the respective offers to $39.00-$40.00 cwt. ($860-$882/mt or $780-$800/nt) and $38.50-$39.50 cwt. ($849-$871/mt or $770-$790/nt), both DDP loaded truck in
US Gulf Coast ports.