No significant change has been seen in the Turkish welded pipe market, both in terms of business activity and suppliers’ pricing. However, players have started to express some cautious optimism.
Domestic offers have remained stable at $470-510/mt ex-works. “Despite lower HRC and scrap prices, the outlook is now positive with the expectation of a certain normalization after the end-of-Ramadan holiday. Also, we are expecting flat steel demand to recover a little with the reopening of production at end-users. Any improvement in flat steel will also support our market as before,” a pipe producer told SteelOrbis.
On the export side, European buyers have started to return to business and to place inquiries. The EU has signaled there may be a revision of the safeguard measures as the new quota period from early July approaches for the European Union (EU) safeguard measures against steel imports. “It is good for both sides for now. Customers in the EU want to receive their materials before any possible changes in quotas and we are able to plan our production and shipments more easily with early bookings,” another pipe maker told SteelOrbis. On the export side, prices are at $470-490/mt FOB. Discounts are still on the table but, with the expectation of higher demand, they may be limited.
** 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.