Due to continuing low demand from European consumers, exports of welded pipes from Turkey have remained sluggish. Export prices of Turkish welded pipes have declined by $10-30/mt over the past two weeks. However, demand from some countries in the Middle East and North Africa is good, especially from Iraq and Algeria. In September, Turkey exported 94,590 mt of welded pipes, 21 percent lower than in August and 39 percent less year-on-year. Feedstock prices vary considerably and so welded pipe producers are very cautious about giving exact quotations. They prefer to negotiate prices with actual consumers who have firm orders in hand. Buyer activity in the Turkish domestic market is also at a low level. Domestic prices of locally produced welded pipes have decreased by $30-50/mt over the past two weeks. Market insiders, barring any real surge in demand levels, are very pessimistic about the prospects for the market and think that there is no way welded pipe prices can increase in the coming period. In the best-case scenario, welded pipe prices will remain at present levels.
Export prices of Turkish ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at the level of $600-630/mt FOB. Export offers of ERW pipes and hollow sections of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at around $685-700/mt FOB, while the same products made from CRC are at $740/mt FOB.
Domestic quotations of ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-6 mm wall thickness made from HRC are at the level of $570-580/mt ex-works, while ERW pipes of 1.5 mm wall thickness made from CRC are at the range of $690-700/mt ex-works Domestic quotations of square and rectangular hollow sections grade A, B made to ASTM A500 with wall thickness of 2-6 mm made from HRC are at $555-560/mt ex-works, while prices of pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from CRC are at $650-660/mt ex-works.