Indian welded pipe producers have raised their domestic and export quotations, citing robust domestic demand and upward adjustments of flat steel suppliers. Thus, domestic prices of Indian welded pipes have increased by INR 1,000-2,000/mt ($20-35/mt) over the past two weeks, while export offers have moved up by $30-50/mt over the same period. Demand from foreign buyers has improved slightly, but is not sufficiently strong yet. Market players report orders coming from Germany, West Africa and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, domestic demand is firm driven by the recovery in the automotive sector as well as by ongoing and new construction projects in India. Market participants are confident welded pipe quotations in India will remain on their upward trend in the coming period.
Indian domestic quotations of ½"-6" black ERW pipes made to IS 1239 or BS 1387 (light series) are at levels of INR 42,000-43,000/mt ($845-870/mt) ex-works. Prices are given excluding tax and on actual weight basis. Current domestic prices of 1"-6" galvanized ERW pipes made to BS 1387 (light series) are in the range of INR 47,000-48,000/mt ($945-970/mt) ex-works.
Export quotations of 1"-6" black ERW pipes as per BS 1387 or IS 1239 are at the level of $880-900/mt FOB. Export prices of galvanized ERW pipes of 1"-6" size made to BS 1387 from most Indian producers are at around $980-1,000/mt FOB.