Buying activity in the Czech domestic market for seamless pipes remains rather weak due to the lack of infrastructure projects amid the unfavorable financial and economic situation in the country, and so Czech suppliers continue to focus on the export markets. However, demand from foreign customers is also somewhat unsatisfactory. However, Czech seamless pipe suppliers have increased their export offers by around €20/mt ($26/mt) over the past month citing higher production costs. Market fundamentals are not expected to change dramatically in the short run. Prices for Czech seamless pipes are unlikely to rise further and may stay at the current levels as there seems to be little chance of a surge in buying over the period of summer holidays.
Current export prices for 2"-3" Sch 40 seamless bare pipes (without varnish coating) of steel grade B made to ASTM A106 from ArcelorMittal Ostrava are at €960-970/mt ($1,258-1,271/mt) for June rolling, while 1/2"-1" seamless pipes are at €1,080-1,100/mt ($1,415-1,441/mt) FCA.
Current export quotations for 3"-10" Sch 40 seamless pipes of steel grade B made to ASTM A106 with varnish coating from ArcelorMittal Ostrava are at €990-1,000/mt ($1,297-1,310/mt) FCA for June rolling, while 1/2"-1" seamless pipes are at €1,110-1,130/mt ($1,454-1,480/mt) FCA.
Export offers of 3"-10" seamless steel tubes for mechanical and general engineering purposes of steel grade S235JR as per EN 10297 from ArcelorMittal Ostrava are at around €1,020-1,030/mt ($1,336-1,349/mt) FCA.
€1 = $ 1.31