Purchasing activity is still slow in the Spanish seamless pipe market, in spite of low stocks, due to slack demand from end-users, while the weaker euro improves the competitiveness of Spanish seamless pipe exporters abroad. Spanish suppliers have been forced to raise quotations of seamless pipes amid higher prices for raw materials, although demand has not fully recovered. Domestic and export prices for Spanish seamless pipes have increased by €20-30/mt (up by a maximum of $8/mt) over the past month. Import offers of Chinese and Ukrainian seamless pipes have moved up by €5-15/mt, while prices for Italian material have increased by €30/mt during the given period. Demand for seamless pipes in Spain is expected to show a moderate increase this year driven by the expected improvement of activity in the seamless pipe-using sectors and the related need for a modest stocking up of inventories. Also, seamless pipe exports from Spain may see a slight rise reflecting the positive impact of the weaker euro on the competitive position of Spanish seamless pipe suppliers.
Current Spanish domestic prices for 2"-4" hot-formed seamless pipes, grade B made to ASTM A106, are at around €980-1,000/mt ($1,048-1,070/mt) ex-works.
Current export prices of Spanish seamless pipes, 2"-4" grade B according to ASTM A106, are varying at around €1,000-1,030/mt ($1,070-1,102/mt) FOB.
Prices for Chinese seamless pipes, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L, are at about €645-690/mt ($690-738/mt) CFR Spain, exclusive of antidumping duties (in the range of 17.7-39.2 percent depending on the producer).
Offers of Ukrainian seamless pipes, 2"-6" grade B according to API 5L, are being given to Spain at €860-880/mt ($920-941/mt) CPT. Prices are shown exclusive of 13.8 percent antidumping duty.
Quotations of Italian seamless pipes, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106, to Spain are at €1,050-1,070/mt ($1,123-1,145/mt) CPT.
€1 = $1.07