Trading activity in the Italian welded pipe market has been relatively scarce over the past month. Italian customers have avoided to purchase large quantities before the Christmas and New Year holidays in Europe. Meanwhile, domestic and export prices of Italian welded pipes have mostly remained unchanged, while in some cases dropping by €10/mt ($27/mt) over the past month amid softer feedstock quotations and low trading. Meanwhile, due to the approaching holidays, demand for Italian welded pipes from both local and foreign buyers has nearly stopped. Offers of Turkish and Bulgarian pipes to Italy have remained stable over the period under review. Italian welded pipe producers may try to raise their prices in January as their production costs increase, though buying activity is unlikely to improve much early next year.
Italian welded pipes of 2"-6" size with wall thickness of 2.0-4.0 mm as per EN 10219 made from base steel grade S235JR hot rolled coil (HRC) are on sale to local clients at €500-530/mt ($610-646/mt) delivered. Prices are shown on actual weight basis and excluding 21 percent VAT. Galvanized pipes made to EN 10219 from DC01 grade CRC are quoted at €600-620/mt ($732-756/mt) delivered.
Export quotations of Italian 2"-6" welded pipes as per EN 10219 are at about €530-560/mt ($646-683/mt) FOB (transportation by sea) or €500-530/mt ($610-646/mt) ex-works (transportation overland).
Offers from Turkish suppliers of industrial welded pipes with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from HR coils are being given at an average of €520-540/mt ($634-658/mt) CFR to Italy and at €530-560/mt ($646-683/mt) CFR to Spain.
Offers of Bulgarian welded pipes to the Italian market are standing at an average of €530-550/mt ($646-671mt) CPT on theoretical weight basis.
€1 = $1.22