Amid the declines observed in the local European hot rolled coil (HRC) market, welded pipe buyers are focused on the trend of HRC prices. While domestic welded pipe prices in Europe, which had declined a while ago, are not expected to decrease further for now due to support from raw material prices, it is still possible that welded pipe prices may soften if domestic HRC prices in the region decline further. Currently, both buyers and sellers are adopting a cautious stance, with buyers just booking small tonnages of welded pipe from the spot market in order to meet their immediate needs.
Meanwhile, a Bulgarian steel producer’s offers to Europe for ERW pipes as per EN 10219 are at €590-595/meter ($673-678/meter) ex-works. The Bulgarian welded pipe producer’s quotations to Germany are at €625-630/meter ($713-718/meter) CPT, to Hungary are at €605-610/meter ($690-695/meter) CPT, to Austria are at €615-620/meter ($701-707/meter) CPT, to Romania are at €595-600/meter ($678-684/meter) CPT, and to Belgium and the Netherlands are at €645-655/meter ($735-747/meter) CPT, while its offers to the Czech Republic, Poland, Croatia and Slovakia are standing at €630-640/mt($718-730/mt) CPT and its offers to Slovenia are at €635-645/mt ($724-735/mt) CPT
Meanwhile, there are talks that the European Commission may announce its final decision regarding the preliminary implementation of quotas and 25 percent duty for exceeded quotas before the 200-day period is over. While market players are ready to determine their strategies depending on this decision, buyers in the European market have also decreased their import purchases.
€1 = $1.14