Although demand is still weak in the welded pipe market in the UAE amid slow construction activity, local producers have increased their prices by around $20-30/mt over the past month on the back of positive market sentiments. Chinese suppliers have not revised their offers, while quotations of Indian material have increased by around $30-40/mt over the past month. Market players believe demand for welded pipes in the UAE may improve in the coming period under the influence of seasonal factors and low stocks. A slight upturn in buying activity may support further upward movement of welded pipe prices in the UAE.
UAE domestic prices for locally produced 1"-4" welded pipes with 2-4 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM A53 or BS 1387 are at about $730-740/mt ex-works, while 1/2" pipes are at around $740-750/mt ex-works. Prices are given on theoretical weight basis.
Domestic quotations of 1"-4" welded pipes with 1.5 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM or BS 1387 are at about $760-770/mt ex-works.
Current domestic prices of 1"-4" galvanized ERW pipes with 2-4 mm wall thickness are in the range of $920-930/mt ex-works.
Offers of Chinese ERW pipes up to 10" grade B as per ASTM are being given to the UAE market at about $680-720/mt CFR, unchanged compared to the levels of one month ago.
Indian suppliers are offering ERW pipes, 1"-6" as per BS 1387 (light series), to the UAE at $730-750/mt CFR on actual weight basis, $30-40/mt higher compared to the levels of one month ago.