As expected, Turkish welded pipe producers have attempted to raise their prices amid rising quotations of flat steel. Export quotations of Turkish welded pipes have increased by $20-30/mt over the past two weeks. Market insiders report that demand for welded pipes from the US and UK remains healthy, while demand from major buyers in the Middle East and North Africa remains low. However, market players believe demand from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will recover in the coming period. Buying activity in the domestic market is still slow. Domestic offers of Turkish pipes, on the whole, have remained within the previous price range, with only the lower end moving up by $10/mt during the past two weeks. Domestic demand is likely to improve until the end of the first quarter. Prices for Turkish welded pipes may continue to increase given rising quotations of flat steel and better demand.
Most offers of Turkish ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from HRC of S235JR grade as per EN 10219 are being given to the domestic market at about $720-750/mt ex-works, while ERW pipes of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from cold rolled coil (CRC) are in the range of $800-830/mt ex-works. Water and gas ERW pipes of 2.0-4.5 mm wall thickness made to EN 10255/DIN 2440 from S235 grade HR products are being offered in the domestic market at $730-770/mt ex-works.
Turkish producers are offering ERW pipes and hollow sections made from HRC of steel grade S235 JRH as per EN 10219 to foreign customers at around $730-760/mt FOB. Water and gas ERW pipes of 2.0-4.5 mm wall thickness made to EN 10255 from S235 grade HR products are being offered for export at about $750-780/mt FOB.