Downward movement has persisted in the welded pipe market in the United Arab Emirates amid low demand from local buyers as the holiday season has started and as Ramadan is approaching. In particular, local producers of welded pipes have decreased their offers by $10-50/mt over the past month. Chinese suppliers have cut their offers by a minimum of $40/mt, while offers of Indian ERW pipes have gone down by $10-20/mt over the past month. South Korean suppliers have also decreased their quotations by $30/mt over the same period. Buying activity in the market will likely decline in the coming month in line with shorter working hours during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. However, market participants do not expect further significant price movement as stock levels are low.
UAE domestic prices for locally produced ½"-4" welded pipes with 2-4 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM A53 or BS 1387 are at about $790-820/mt ex-works. Prices are given on theoretical weight basis.
Domestic quotations of ½"-4" welded pipes with 1.5-1.8 mm wall thickness of grade B made to ASTM or BS 1387 are at about $810-850/mt ex-works. Current domestic prices of 1"-4" galvanized ERW pipes with 2-4 mm wall thickness are in the range of $930-970/mt ex-works.
Offers of Chinese ERW pipes up to 10" grade B as per ASTM are being given to the UAE market at about $700-800/mt CFR.
Indian suppliers are offering ERW pipes, 1"-6" as per BS 1387 (light series), to the UAE at $760-800/mt CFR on theoretical weight basis, $10-20/mt lower than one month ago.
South Korean 10"-20" ERW pipes grade B made to ASTM A53/API 5L are being offered to the UAE at on average $850-900/mt CFR.