The Bulgarian welded pipe market has been continuing its upward trend in line with the rising trends in the local and global markets for flat steel products. Bulgarian welded pipe producers have increased domestic prices by $30/mt over the past two weeks, reflecting slightly improved demand from traders concerned about decreasing stocks and due to higher prices for raw materials. Yet, market players report that demand from end-users in Bulgaria remains weak and is not expected to recover soon. At the same time, demand from European customers continues to improve and so export quotations for Bulgarian welded pipes have been raised by $20-40/mt over the period under review.
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC according to EN 10219 are being given to the domestic market at around €480-500/mt ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on actual weight basis. Domestic quotations of water and gas ERW pipes made to EN 10255 are at €500-520/mt ex-works. Offers of ERW pipes of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from HRC are being given to the domestic market at €520-530/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 €480-530/mt ex-works on a theoretical weight basis. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €500-550/mt ex-works.
Despite the rising price levels in Bulgaria, traders have to replace their inventories and so they will have to buy in some materials at new, higher prices; nevertheless, the resulting demand will not be sufficient to support the mentioned price rises.