Overseas demand for CIS seamless pipes has continued to weaken amid global economic uncertainties. Due to slack consumer activity, lower production costs, tough competition from Chinese products and weak market sentiments, seamless pipe producers in Ukraine and Russia have continued to decrease their export prices. Export offers of Ukrainian producers have declined by $20-30/mt over the past month, while Russian manufacturers have cut their export prices by around $10/mt over the same period. Market insiders think CIS seamless pipe exporters will find it difficult to raise their prices in the coming period amid falling raw material prices, a lack of trading activity in the major export outlets, and global economic instability.
Export prices from Ukrainian mill Interpipe for 2"-6" seamless pipes of grade B made to ASTM A106 are quoted at around $830-880/mt FOB for the Middle Eastern market, while pipes as per EN are offered at about $800-820/mt ex-works for the European market.
Export offers of 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 $850-900/mt FOB.
Russia-based ChTPZ Group's export quotations for 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 $820-830/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 $930-950/mt FOB.