Bulgaria's welded pipe market has not experienced any major changes over the past two weeks. Buying activity in both domestic and foreign markets remains poor in view of the weakness of consuming industries in Bulgarian and Europe, while prices for Bulgarian welded pipes have remained stable.
Market players believe Bulgarian pipe makers will have to cut their offers if raw material prices go down and if demand in key sales markets fails to pick up.
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade hot rolled coil (HRC) according to EN 10219 are being given to the Bulgarian domestic market at around €560-565/mt ($722-729/mt) ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on theoretical weight basis.
Export quotations of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are at the level of €500-520/mt ($645-671/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for October production. Offers of similar Bulgarian pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN 10219 are at around €530-550/mt ($684-710/mt) ex-works for October rolling. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €520-540/mt ($671-697/mt) ex-works.
€1 = $1.29