Higher import prices for hot rolled coils (HRC) have forced Bulgarian welded pipe makers to raise their quotations. Over the past week, export prices of Bulgarian welded pipes have gone up by €10-35/mt ($14-47/mt), while domestic quotations of welded pipes from Bulgarian producers have remained unchanged. However, market players predict that Bulgarian welded pipe prices will continue to rise in the coming period. Market sources report that European demand for welded pipes is picking up slowly. Output in the construction sector is set to remain flat in Europe, while other sectors are performing better. At the same time, welded pipe buying activity in the local Bulgarian market is still weak, though domestic welded pipe prices will likely follow an upward trend on the back of higher import offers of flat steel.
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 Bulgarian domestic market at around €580-600/mt ($782-809/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 EN 10219 are at €640-650/mt ($863-876/mt) ex-works. Bulgarian domestic quotations of water and gas ERW pipes made to EN 10255 are at €600-620/mt ($809-836/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 €605-620/mt ($816-836/mt) ex-works on a theoretical weight basis for January-February production. Offers of similar Bulgarian pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN10219 are at €665-670/mt ($896-903/mt) ex-works. ERW pipes with 1.2-1.4 mm wall thickness made from cold rolled (CR) steel are priced in the foreign markets at about €730-740/mt ex-works. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €625-640/mt ($843-863/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 €810-830/mt ($1,092-1,119/mt) ex-works.
€1 = $1.348