Demand for welded pipes revives slowly in UAE

Demand for welded pipes in the UAE is still indicating quite a slow recovery. Local producers have decreased their prices for welded pipes by around $10-15/mt over the past month amid the ongoing slackness of buying activity in the market. Over the same period, import offers of Chinese and Indian welded pipes have remained stable. However, demand for welded pipes in the UAE is expected to strengthen at a healthy rate in the upcoming peak season for consumption of welded pipes. Most market players foresee a favorable outlook for demand from the power, infrastructure, and oil and gas sectors.
 
UAE domestic prices for locally produced 1"-4" welded pipes with 2-4 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM A53 or BS 1387 are at about $730-750/mt ex-works, while 1/2" pipes are at around $740-760/mt ex-works. Prices are given on theoretical weight basis.
 
Domestic quotations of 1"-4" welded pipes with 1.5 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM or BS 1387 are at about $760-780/mt ex-works.
 
Current domestic prices of 1"-4" galvanized ERW pipes with 2-4 mm wall thickness are in the range of $920-940/mt ex-works.
 
Offers of Chinese ERW pipes up to 10" grade B as per ASTM are being given to the UAE market at about $650-700/mt CFR.
 
Indian suppliers are offering ERW pipes, 1"-6" as per BS 1387 (light series), to the UAE at $750-780/mt CFR on actual weight basis.