Export prices for CIS seamless pipes are on the way down because of insufficient foreign demand and softer semi-finished quotations. One month ago, seamless pipe exporters from the CIS tried to achieve a price increase amid expectations of higher demand from the Middle East, but trade has remained under pressure from the difficult political situation in some countries in the region. Over the past month, Ukrainian seamless pipe exporter Interpipe has decreased its offers by $10-50/mt; while Russian suppliers have cut their offers by around $50-80/mt. Suppliers are trying to attract buyers with their lower prices. Buying activity in key sales markets remains slow amid unfavorable conditions in the global market. Market players believe this situation is unlikely to change considerably in the short term.
Export prices from Ukrainian mill Interpipe for October production hot-formed seamless pipes of 42-168 mm diameter, of 10, 20 steel grades, as per GOST 8731/8732, currently vary in the range of $810-850/mt FOB, while seamless pipes made to ASTM A106 are quoted at around $830-1,020/mt FOB. Export offers of 2"-6" pipes of grade B as per API 5L are at levels of $850-1,040/mt FOB, while 8"-10" pipes are at $880-1,070/mt FOB.
Export offers of October production seamless pipes of 60-168 mm diameter, of 10, 20 steel grades according to GOST 8731/8732 or ASTM A106 from Ukraine's Dnepropetrovsk Tube Works are at $990-1,010/mt FOB, while export prices of 42-48 mm diameter are at $1,010-1,030/mt FOB.
ChTPZ Group's export quotations for October-November production hot-formed pipes with diameter of 60.3-219 mm of 10, 20 steel grades according to GOST 8731/8732 or ASTM A106 are at $800-820/mt FOB.
Seamless pipes with 57-219 mm diameter of 10, 20 steel grades as per GOST 8731/8732 from Volzhsky Pipe Plant (TMK Group, Russia) are quoted in the range of $850-900/mt FOB.