The most commonly reported spot price transaction range for
US domestic Grade A ERW BPE standard pipe continues to hold in the approximate range of $42.50-$43.50 cwt. ($937-$959/mt or $850-$870/nt), ex-Midwest mill, reflecting no change since our last report two weeks ago.
In mid-January, SteelOrbis sources had reported overall order activity had started to pick. And while current order and inquires continue to be “pretty decent,” sources say, they “are good compared to where things had been but we definitely wouldn’t describe things as being fantastic.”
Trader sources have also confirmed that futures prices from Turkish producers are still being offered at approximately $29.00-$30.00 cwt. ($639-$662/mt or $580-$600/nt), DDP loaded truck in
US Gulf coast ports, which has started to generate increased interest from
US domestic buyers based on the price differential between
US domestic and offshore offerings.
In terms of current import tonnages, the most recent data from the
US Department of Commerce Enforcement and Compliance indicates that for the month of January, the
US imported 79,717 mt (license data) of standard pipe from global producers, which reflects an increase from the 50,905/mt of standard pipe that was imported from global steel producers in December.