With the support of higher hot rolled coil (HRC) prices in Turkey, welded pipe offers have increased by $30/mt in the local market and now stand at $510-540/mt ex-works. Market players state that demand has also recovered with the influence of flats prices in the country, which have gradually been accepted. "After HRC prices increased, welded pipe demand has rapidly improved. Buyers wanted to increase their stocks before any further price rise in the pipes segment. We have made a good amount of sales and we think prices will be stable for a while. We have to see the further demand levels before making any move,” a pipe producer told SteelOrbis. Locally, pipes are available for July deliveries: however, since there are some stocks, prompt deliveries are also possible.
On the export side, demand has been moderate but, due to the stronger local market in Turkey, welded pipe producers have also increased their export offers, raising them by $30/mt to $500-520/mt FOB for end of June-July shipments.
** Prices are given for ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from HRC of S235 grade as per EN 10219, on theoretical weight basis.