The Iranian welded pipe market has been quiet over the past month amid very weak construction activity in the country. Domestic prices for locally produced welded pipes in the local currency have increased by a minimum of IRR 700/mt during the past month in line with rising feedstock costs, while prices in US dollar terms have increased by around $20-45/mt over the same period. In the meantime, end-user demand remains very low and any improvement in the market is not expected before the Iranian New Year which starts on March 21.
Iranian producers' current domestic prices for 6"-14" welded pipes with 2 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM/API are at $710-745/mt (IRR 21,000-22,000/mt) ex-works. Prices are exclusive of five percent VAT.
Chinese welded pipes, 2"-8" grade B made to ASTM A53/API 5L, are currently being offered to the Iranian market at $660-700/mt CFR, down $20/mt compared to one month ago.
$1 = IRR 29.5 market exchange rate
$1 = IRR 24.9 official exchange rate