Sluggish buying activity was observed before and during the religious holiday in the Turkish welded pipe market. Domestic and export pipe prices from Turkish producers have not changed. Market participants think that HRC prices may go up in the post-holiday period, and so pipe makers will be under pressure from high production costs, while at the same time welded pipe demand is not expected to recover at least until the end of the year.
Domestic quotations of ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at the level of $645-670/mt ex-works, while ERW pipes and hollow sections of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from CRC and HRC are in the range of $700-720/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 to the domestic market at $670-690/mt ex-works.
Current export prices of Turkish ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC of steel grade S235 JRH according to EN 10219 or ASTM A500 are at the level of $670-740/mt FOB on theoretical weight basis. Export offers of ERW pipes and hollow sections of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at around $730-800/mt FOB, while the same products made from CRC are at $750-840/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 $690-760/mt FOB.