Offshore producers of US import API-X42 electric resistance weld (ERW) line pipe still have concerns about being slapped with a trade case, and many have started to inch futures offers upward in hopes of “covering all bases”. Prices from Korean producers have ticked up by about $0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt) since our last report a week ago and are now in the approximate range of $40.00-$41.00 cwt. ($882-$904/mt or $800-$820/nt) DDP loaded truck US Gulf coast ports (although some mills are quoting slightly higher than this range), while Taiwanese producers have increased their offers prices by about $1.25 cwt. ($28/mt or $25/nt) in the past seven days to match the current Korean range. Futures offer prices from Vietnam and India, however, have remained lateral since our last report, and continue to hold at approximately $38.50-$39.50 cwt. ($849-$871/mt or $770-$790/nt) DDP loaded truck US Gulf coast ports.
In terms of US domestic offers, those have not wavered. The most commonly reported spot price transaction range has held steady at $51.00-$52.00 cwt. ($1,124-$1,146/mt or $1,020-$1,040/nt) ex-Midwest mill, although as in previous weeks, anyone who is wanting to book a sizable order can easily negotiate a better price.