Iranian welded pipe prices slide down in general as buyers remain cautious

Buying activity is very low in the Iranian welded pipe market as customers are cautious. Over the past four weeks local Iranian producers' domestic prices for black welded pipes and hollow sections made from HRC have decreased by $30/mt, while quotations for water and gas ERW pipes have gone up by $10-20/mt due to better demand for this kind of pipe. Domestic quotations of ERW pipes made to ASTM A53 have declined by $30-50/mt over the period under review. Local stockists' prices have moved down by $70-85/mt during the period in question. However, the number of transactions is very low, traders remain cautious and sentiment as regards the future market is full of ambiguity. Market participants think that high inflation, caused by the implementation of the government's subsidy reform plan, may increase welded pipe prices: nevertheless, market stagnation and shortage of demand have made everyone very cautious.

Iranian producers' current domestic prices for welded pipes of ½"-4" size with 2 mm wall thickness made to EN 10219 or DIN 2394 from S235JR grade HRC are at $780-800/mt ex-works. Prices are exclusive of three percent VAT. Offers of 25 x 25 mm - 110 x 110 mm hollow sections with 2-6 mm wall thickness made to EN 10219 or DIN 2395 are being given on average at $770-800/mt ex-works. Water and gas ERW pipes of ½"-4" size with 2.5-3.5 mm wall thickness made to DIN 2440 are being offered to the domestic market at $840-870/mt ex-works. Current domestic prices of Iranian 6"-14" welded pipes grade B made to ASTM A53 are at the level of $820-850/mt ex-works.

Local stockists' prices for welded pipes of ¾"-3" size from Iranian producers are at about $875-905/mt ex-warehouse, compared to $945-980/mt ex-warehouse four weeks ago. Offers of 20 x 20 mm - 100 x 100 mm hollow sections ex-warehouse Tehran are on average at $775-790/mt, compared to $805-820/mt ex-warehouse four weeks ago.

Chinese welded pipes, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A53/API 5L, are currently being offered to the Iranian market at around $810-850/mt C&F Bandar Abbas, $30/mt lower than one month ago.

Iranian stockists' prices for local production welded pipes: