Turkish hollow section prices have continued to move upward this week, supported by the ongoing strength of HRC and scrap prices, which remain the main drivers of the market. However, demand conditions remain limited, with buying activity largely confined to small volumes as buyers are staying cautious toward the current high price levels. Market participants also note that inventories have started to increase amid subdued sales, while the earlier sense of urgency in the market has eased. Despite weak demand, price movements continue to follow HRC and scrap trends, keeping the overall market direction upward.
“Demand is not keeping pace with the recent price increases, which is putting pressure on sellers. While many market players expect a correction, ongoing cost pressures and uncertainty linked to the war continue to cloud the outlook. Buyers remain cautious and purchasing is limited, as current price levels are considered too high under these conditions. Any shift in the war-driven environment could quickly affect sentiment and lead to a downward adjustment, which is why many participants are focusing on managing their financial positions more carefully,” a pipe producer told SteelOrbis.
As a result, domestic hollow section prices in Turkey have moved to higher levels over the past week, with offers now reported at $695-725/mt ex-works, compared to $660-680/mt ex-works previously.
In the export segment, offers have also shifted upward, currently heard at $690-710/mt FOB, up from $660-670/mt FOB a week earlier.
