Demand in the main destinations for CIS seamless pipe exports has remained at minimum levels. Ukrainian seamless pipe exporters have had to cut prices by $20-50/mt over the past month amid subdued trading activity, while export offers of Russian material have risen by $20-30/mt amid rising production costs and the stronger domestic market. Market sources expect somewhat improved seamless pipe buying activity in the major sales outlets in spring against the backdrop of the start of the construction season. In particular, Interpipe aims to increase its sales to Europe, the Middle East and the US.
Export prices from Ukrainian mill Interpipe for March production 2"-6" seamless pipes of grade B made to ASTM A106 are quoted at around $930-980/mt FOB for the Middle East market, while pipes as per EN are offered at about $850-890/mt ex-works for the European market.
Export offers of March production seamless pipes of 60-168 mm diameter, of 10, 20 steel grades according to GOST 8731/8732 or ASTM A106, from Ukraine's Dnepropetrovsk Tube Works are at $980-1,000/mt FOB, while export prices of 42-48 mm diameter are at $1,000-1,020/mt FOB.
ChTPZ Group's export quotations for March-April production hot-formed pipes with diameter of 60.3-219 mm of 10, 20 steel grades according to GOST 8731/8732 or ASTM A106 are at $850-870/mt FOB.
Seamless pipes with 57-219 mm diameter of 10, 20 steel grades as per GOST 8731/8732 from Volzhsky Pipe Plant (TMK Group, Russia) are quoted in the range of $900-930/mt FOB.