Following the previous long-standing downward trend observed in European welded pipe producers’ prices, prices have increased slightly in recent days in line with the rises recorded in hot rolled coil (HRC) and scrap quotations.
Meanwhile, according to market sources, demand in the local European welded pipe market is steady at relatively better levels as compared to last week. Market sources draw attention to the fact that the current euro-dollar exchange rate is also contributing to the upward movement of domestic welded pipe prices in Europe. Market sources recall that HRC prices have increased by €10-20/mt in Europe in recent days, but in the meantime buyers’ expectations for a further rise in prices have weakened, and so they are not sure that the current HRC prices can be sustained. SteelOrbis has been informed by market players that European domestic welded pipe prices are not expected to increase further in the short term.
A Bulgarian steel producer’s offers for ERW pipes as per EN 10219 for its domestic market have decreased by an average of €7.5/mt over the past two weeks to €550-560/mt ($616-627/mt) ex-works. The Bulgarian welded pipe producer’s European market quotations to Germany are now at €610-620/meter ($683-694/meter) CPT, to Romania are at €575-585/meter ($644-655/meter) CPT, to Hungary are at €580-590/meter ($650-661/meter) CPT, and to Belgium and the Netherlands are at €630-640/meter ($706-717/meter) CPT, while its offers to Slovakia, Slovenia and Costa Rica are at €585-600/meter ($655-672/meter) CPT, and its offers to the Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria are standing at €590-605/meter ($661-678/meter) CPT.
€1 = $1.12