Prices have increased $15/mt compared two weeks ago and demand has remained at moderate levels in Turkish welded pipe markets. Producers have increased their prices amid higher hot rolled coil prices in the country to $540-560/mt ex-works but sales prices for latest contracts are mainly at $540-545/mt ex-works. "We have increased our prices due to higher HRC price levels and we also have demand, now we are offering for October production." a producer told SteelOrbis. "We can reflect HRC price increases to our prices because we have demand and we have not asked for too much increase. Today there is only a $30-40/mt difference between pipe and HRC prices. Obviously it is not enough and our raw material costs are really high but the economic outlook makes trade really hard and it puts pressure on our prices." another producer told SteelOrbis.
On the export side, prices have also increased by $10/mt to $520-540/mt FOB and demand has failed to recover.
** 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.