Demand for Romanian seamless pipes has become somewhat stronger abroad, though remaining modest in the domestic market. Romanian seamless pipe producers have increased their domestic and export offers by €40-50/mt ($52-65/mt) over the past month citing stable demand from foreign customers and high production costs. Import quotations of seamless pipes from the Czech Republic have remained in the previous range. However, buying activity is still weak in the domestic market due to poor demand from consuming industries. Romanian producers hope that stronger export demand will support the recent price hike and that quotations will stabilize in the coming period.
Romanian domestic quotations of 3"-10" seamless pipes made to ASTM or EN are at about €1,100/mt ($1,430/mt) delivered, excluding 24 percent VAT.
Export offers of 3"-10" seamless pipes of grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L are being given by ArcelorMittal Roman to the external markets at around €1,000-1,020/mt ($1,300-1,326/mt) FCA, 12"-16" seamless pipes are quoted at €1,025-1,125/mt ($1,333-1,463/mt) FCA, while 18"-20" pipes are at about €1,300/mt ($1,690/mt) FCA.
Import offers of 3"-10" seamless pipes from the Czech Republic (ArcelorMittal) of grade B as per ASTM A106 are being given to the Romanian market at €1,000-1,020/mt ($1,300-1,326/mt) CPT.
€1 = $ 1.30