Seamless pipe suppliers continue to push up prices in Spain

Seamless pipe suppliers have continued to maintain an upward trend despite the low buying activity in the Spanish market. Domestic and export quotations of Spanish seamless pipes have increased by €50-70/mt during the past month. Prices of Ukrainian seamless pipes for Italy have gone up by €70/mt in the past month. Import quotations of seamless pipes from Italy have surged by €50-80/mt over the period under review. However, Spanish customers are quite reluctant to book at the new levels. Spain is still struggling, with its general economic situation still far from seeing a complete recovery. Unemployment levels are still quite high at almost 20 percent, investments are lacking and it is difficult to obtain financing from the banks. In this context, domestic consumption obviously does not provide enough support for seamless pipe prices. Nevertheless, Spanish seamless pipe makers are hoping for strong demand from foreign customers, especially from the Middle East and the US.
 
Current domestic prices for 2"-6" hot-formed seamless pipes grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L are at around €1,070-1,120/mt ex-works for March production.
 
Current export prices of Spanish seamless pipes, 2"-6" grade B according to ASTM A53/API 5L, are varying at around €1,100-1,150/mt FOB.
 
Prices for Chinese seamless pipes, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L, were at about €820-910/mt C&F, exclusive of antidumping duties (in the range of 17.7-39.2 percent depending on the producer). However, Chinese suppliers look set to hike offers after the holidays in China.
 
Offers of Ukrainian seamless pipes, 2"-12" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L, are at €900-940/mt DDU. These prices are exclusive of 25.1 percent antidumping duty.
 
Quotations of Italian seamless pipes, 2"-5" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L, to Spain are at €1,130-1,200/mt CPT.