According to market sources, the declining trend of prices in the local Turkish welded
pipe market has continued for the seventh consecutive week. Market sources believe that the decreases seen in hot rolled coil (HRC) prices have negatively impacted Turkish domestic welded
pipe prices. Moreover, market sources do not expect demand to recover in the short term. Indeed, no improvement in market conditions is foreseen until the end of the year. The lack of a new government in
Turkey and the possibility of a snap election are the main obstacles to a recovery of the market.
Despite the strengthening of the US dollar against the Turkish lira during the past week, demand for Turkish welded pipes in the export markets has remained slack this week. Some producers, which had resisted reducing their prices up to now, have adjusted their prices during the past week. Demand for Turkish welded
pipe in
Europe has remained quiet due to the traditional summer offseason, while some producers believe that welded
pipe prices may indicate some further slight downticks.
Most offers of Turkish ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from hot rolled coil (HRC) of S235 grade as per EN 10219 to the domestic market are now being given at about $455-485/mt ex-works on actual weight basis, down $5/mt on average over the past week.
Meanwhile, Turkish producers are offering ERW pipes and hollow sections made from HRC of steel grade S235 JRH as per EN 10219 to foreign customers at around $430-440/mt FOB, down $15/mt compared to the price levels recorded in the previous week.