Demand has remained sufficient and prices have increased by $10/mt in the Turkish welded pipe market since last week. With support from strong raw material prices and from demand, prices have increased to $580-600/mt ex-works in the local market. Producers have started to offer January production pipes, but there is still some limited supply for December production too. "We have had moderate demand for a long time and we have gradually increased our prices. We think sharp increases could damage demand levels, especially because of the stronger dollar against the lira and the uncertainties in the economy," a producer told SteelOrbis.
On the export side, prices have also increased by $10/mt to $560-570/mt FOB and demand has remained at moderate levels. " Buyers continue to buy their needs for the first quarter, especially in the EU. We are happy with export demand and until Christmas time we expect to preserve our sales volumes," another producer told SteelOrbis.
** 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.