Foreign buyers are showing more interest in Bulgarian welded pipes than local customers, and Bulgarian producers have even tried to increase export quotations by €10/mt in some cases, also due to the rising cost of flat products. As there is a shortage of coils in the Bulgarian market, pipe producers are obliged to buy feedstock at new prices and to shift the extra cost on to buyers. For reference, July prices of HR coils from Kremikovtzi were around €300/mt ex-works. Anyway, such an increase in export quotations is primarily aimed at testing the market. No other increase is expected due to the summer holidays in Europe.
Export offers of July production ERW pipes and hollow sections of 1.8-6 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC from Bulgarian manufacturers are being given at about €400-420/mt ex-works on a theoretical weight basis. In particular, offers of Bulgarian ERW pipes to Germany and Poland are being given at €450-460/mt CPT, while they are being given to Spain at €540-550/mt CPT, and to Sweden at €520-525/mt CPT. Meanwhile, offers of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections from stocks can be heard at around €360-370/mt ex-warehouse.
Export quotations of pipes of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at €530/mt ex-works.
Bulgarian ERW pipes of 1.2-1.4 mm wall thickness made from DC 01 grade CR steel are priced in the foreign markets at about €530/mt ex-works. Export prices for galvanized ERW pipes made to DIN 2440/2444 are at €700/mt ex-works.