Business activity in the Romanian market for seamless pipes continues to show signs of sustained weakness. Local buyers have not increased their purchases due to stagnant demand from consuming industries, while difficult financial and economic conditions as well as the arrival of the holiday season have curbed demand from overseas buyers. However, Romanian suppliers have left their domestic and export quotations of seamless pipes unchanged at the levels of one month ago, as any decreases would be ineffective. Besides, market sentiment remains bearish amid continuing economic weakness in the European markets, the seasonal summer slowdown and retreating raw material prices.
Romanian domestic quotations of 3"-10" seamless pipes made to ASTM or EN are at about €880-900/mt ($1,144-1,170/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 €900-920/mt ($1,170-1,196/mt) FCA, 12"-14" seamless pipes are being offered at $930-960/mt ($1,209-1,248/mt) FCA, 16" seamless pipes are quoted at €1,030-1,040/mt ($1,339-1,352/mt) FCA, while 18"-20" pipes are at about €1,350-1,360/mt ($1,755-1,768/mt) FCA, all for September production.
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 €940-950/mt ($1,222-1,235/mt) CPT.
€1 = $1.30