During the past week, Turkish producers’ offer range for ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from hot rolled coil (HRC) of S235 grade as per EN 10219 to their domestic market has remained stable at $620-650/mt ex-works. According to market sources, demand in the local Turkish welded pipe market has recovered slightly, though this recovery is not considered to be significant.
The $10/mt fall recorded in domestic hot rolled coil (HRC) prices in Turkey mid-week has attracted attention. Although some Turkish pipe buyers prefer to maintain their wait-and-see stance due to the ongoing lack of confidence in the local economy and as demand is negatively influenced by the approaching local elections to be held on March 31, demand in the local Turkish welded pipe market is at medium levels. With the influence of the slight recovery in demand and higher scrap prices, the Turkish domestic welded pipe market is not expected to immediately reflect this fall in raw material quotations. Additionally, domestic prices for ERW pipes and hollow sections are not expected to decrease in the short term.