Over the past week, Turkish welded pipe producers have kept their domestic prices stable. Turkish producers’ domestic offer range for ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from HRC of S235 grade as per EN 10219 has moved sideways at $530-550/mt ex-works. According to market sources, Turkish buyers’ firm bids for domestic welded pipes are generally at $520/mt ex-works and below. One market source report SteelOrbis that, “Demand in the local Turkish pipe market is very weak. HRC prices have gone down further since last week to $490-505/mt ex-works, and scrap prices have also decreased, supporting buyers' expectation of a price decrease.” Market source added.
On the other hand, according to market sources, Turkish producers’ export offer range for ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from HRC of S235 grade as per EN 10219 has decreased by an average of $15/mt as compared to last week to $540-550/mt FOB. Also, demand for Turkish welded pipe in the international markets is still weak. According to market sources, buyers’ firm bids at $490-510/mt FOB are unacceptable for Turkish producers. A market source says that “Due to the decline in scrap prices, buyers in the global markets have also dropped their counter bids”. Turkish pipe producers receive firm bids from the buyers in North Africa, the Middle East and from their main pipe export market, Europe.