Due to rising flat steel prices Turkish welded pipe producers have increased their domestic and export quotations. Thus, offers for local and foreign customers have risen by $10-20/mt over the past two weeks. At the same time, a lack of investment is observed in Turkey, leading to insufficient and declining demand. Demand from foreign consumers also remains at low levels. Market insiders do not expect any demand improvement in December. They think that welded pipe prices may go down despite the attempts of CIS mills to raise flat steel prices.
Domestic quotations of ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at the level of $580-600/mt ex-works, while ERW pipes and hollow sections of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from CRC are at the range of $690-720/mt ex-works. Water and gas ERW pipes of 2.0-4.5 mm wall thickness made to EN 10255/DIN 2440 from S235 grade HR products are being offered to the domestic market at $610-630/mt ex-works.
Export prices of Turkish ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC according to EN 10219 or ASTM A500 are at the level of $590-620/mt FOB. Export offers of ERW pipes and hollow sections of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at around $665-695/mt FOB, while the same products made from CRC are at $690-720/mt FOB. Water and gas ERW pipes of 2.0-4.5 mm wall thickness made to EN 10255/DIN 2440 from S235 grade HR products are being offered for export at about $620-640/mt FOB.