With increases seen in hot rolled coil (HRC) prices in Turkey being reflected in welded pipe quotations, Turkey’s welded pipe export prices have also moved up during the past week. Accordingly, Turkish producers’ offer range for ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from hot rolled coil (HRC) of S235 grade as per EN 10219 to their export markets has increased by $15/mt on the lower end and by $30/mt on the upper end week on week to $660-720/mt FOB. SteelOrbis has been informed that few offers have been given on the upper end of this price range but deals have been made at $700-720/mt FOB.
While sales of some Turkish welded pipe exporters have decreased over the past week, sales of other Turkish exporters have increased as their exports to the European Union (EU) have accelerated. It is known that Turkish mills have received welded pipe orders from the EU for July, August and September deliveries. However, if the EU imposes quotas or tariffs on steel imports as a result of the safeguard investigation, market players are unsure of how orders already received will be dealt with or of how Turkish welded pipe export volumes and prices will be impacted.
On the other hand, the US Department of Commerce (US DOC) has announced that it has decided to impose preliminary countervailing duties (CVD) on imports of large diameter (LD) welded pipe from China, India, South Korea and Turkey, with preliminary subsidy rates ranging between 1.08 percent and 541.15 percent. Preliminary duties for Turkish LD welded pipe are standing between 1.08-3.76 percent. The DOC is scheduled to announce its final determinations on or about November 6, 2018.