Bulgaria's welded pipe market is still in the doldrums amid weakness of the construction sector and limited infrastructural projects in the region. However, Bulgarian pipe makers have left their domestic and export quotations unchanged over the past two weeks due to their very low margins. Meanwhile, local and foreign buyers mostly prefer to postpone purchases of welded pipes until the situation in the market becomes clear. However, the Bulgarian welded pipe market is unlikely to revive in the coming short-term period amid seasonal factors.
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 ($700-705/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 ($625-650/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for June 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 ($662-687/mt) ex-works for June rolling. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €520-540/mt ($650-675/mt) ex-works.
€1 = $1.249