Demand for ERW pipes in the Bulgarian domestic market has remained consistently low, while domestic quotations have shown no change from their level of two weeks ago. Bulgarian welded pipe producers currently prefer to focus on exports to European countries; however, due to the seasonal lull in Europe in December, export quotations of Bulgarian ERW pipes have declined by €10-20/mt over the past two weeks. In the coming weeks no one expects to see an improvement in demand due to the approach of the Christmas and New Year holidays, and so prices will likely remain stable or even decrease a little.
Domestic quotations of welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC according to EN 10219 are at the level of €430-450/mt ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on actual weight basis. Domestic prices of water and gas ERW pipes made to EN 10255 are at €460-480/mt ex-works. Offers of ERW pipes of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from HRC are being given to the domestic market at €480-500/mt ex-works.
Export offers of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are being given at about €390-430/mt ex-works on a theoretical weight basis. Export prices of ERW pipes of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at around €500-520/mt ex-works.
Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €430-450/mt ex-works.