Weak sentiment and slack activity in German seamless pipe market

Seamless pipe prices in Germany have softened amid the continuing weak sentiment in the market. Prices for seamless pipes in Germany have moved down by around €10/mt (up $2/mt) over the past month. Import prices of Chinese material have decreased by a maximum of €30/mt ($30/mt) over the past month, while offers of Romanian pipes have decreased by a maximum of €20/mt ($11/mt). Over the period under review, quotations of Italian material in the German market have declined by around €50/mt ($50/mt). Meanwhile, buying activity in the market remains slack and is unlikely to revive in the short run. Seamless pipe suppliers in Germany may try to keep their prices stable until buying activity resumes.
 
German 2"-6" seamless pipes of grade S355 made to EN 10210 are being given to local buyers at around €900-920/mt ($1,251-1,279/mt) delivered, while pipes of grade B as per ASTM A106 are at about €920-940/mt ($1,279-1,307/mt) delivered.
 
Export quotations of German 2"-4" seamless pipes of grade B as per ASTM A106 are in the range of €930-950/mt ($1,293-1,321/mt) FCA on theoretical weight basis.
 
Prices for Chinese seamless pipes, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L, are at about €600-630/mt ($834-876/mt) CFR Germany, exclusive of antidumping duties.
 
Romanian 4"-6" seamless pipes made to ASTM A106 of steel grade B are being offered to the German market at about €950-1,000/mt ($1,321-1,390/mt) CPT.
 
Prices for Italian seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106 are at about €1,020-1,100/mt ($1,418-1,529/mt) CPT.
 
€1 = $1.39