Welded pipe prices in Turkey have continued to increase due to uptrend in the hot rolled coil (HRC) segment. However, domestic demand has so far failed to recover significantly, while exports remain rather strong.
Turkish pipe producers are offering for July production at the moment, while their prices have increased by $40-50/mt over the past two weeks to $1,120-1,150/mt ex-works for local destinations and by $50/mt to $1,140-1,160/mt FOB for export destinations. "We are following up the current trend and we still have lower prices than our feedstock prices. That means we have to increase our prices further for our upcoming production," a producer told SteelOrbis. Currently, local HRC prices in Turkey have reached $1,200/mt ex-works in the official indications.
"Most market players are unhappy about the current situation and not only buyers, but also sellers are very cautious. We have record high prices in a very uncertain economic outlook in the country and the risk is very big for everyone," another producer told Steelorbis.
** Prices are given for ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from HRC of S235 grade as per EN 10219, on theoretical weight basis.