No essential changes have been observed in Bulgaria's welded pipe market in the past two weeks. Prices for domestic welded pipes in Bulgaria have been largely stable over the past two weeks against a backdrop of slow trading activity, while export offers have declined by a maximum of €10/mt ($14/mt) amid a lack of buying interest. The main reason behind the distributors' passive position is extremely scarce demand from consuming industries resulting from the unfavourable economic situation in the region. The future market outlook remains pessimistic, with activity in the domestic and export markets unlikely to recover before the end of the year.
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade hot rolled coil (HRC) according to EN 10219 are being given to the Bulgarian domestic market at around BGN 950-1,000/mt ($604-636/mt) ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on theoretical weight basis.
Export quotations of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are at levels of €480-500/mt ($597-622/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis.
In particular, export offers of Bulgarian pipes to Germany are at levels of €480-490/mt ($597-610/mt) ex-works, while offers to Poland and Hungary are at €490-500/mt ($610-622/mt) ex-works. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €500-530/mt ($622-659/mt) ex-works.
$1 = BGN 1.57
€1 = $1.24