Demand for Bulgarian welded pipes from both local and foreign buyers has remained flat over the past two weeks, and Bulgarian pipe makers have kept their domestic and export prices stable. Market players do not foresee any improvement in the market as the winter season is coming; however, they hope that the first green shoots of revival will emerge in the spring next year. Meanwhile, most Bulgarian producers report that they are already booked with orders for December and that no significant price changes are likely in the coming short-term period.
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 domestic market at around €560-580/mt ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on theoretical weight basis. Offers of similar pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN10219 are at €620-630/mt ex-works. Domestic quotations of water and gas ERW pipes made to EN 10255 are at €580-600/mt ex-works.
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 €550-570/mt ex-works on a theoretical weight basis for December production. Offers of similar pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN10219 are at €620-630/mt ex-works. ERW pipes with 1.2-1.4 mm wall thickness made from CR steel are priced in the foreign markets at about €710-720/mt ex-works. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €570-590/mt ex-works. ERW galvanized pipes with 2-3 mm wall thickness made to DIN 2440/2444 are quoted in the foreign markets at on average €810-820/mt ex-works.