Bulgaria's welded pipe prices have remained almost unchanged over the past two weeks amid a lack of fresh trade. Market players report relatively soft demand from local downstream buyers, while demand from foreign customers is better, but is still not strong enough to support a price hike. However, market players are more hopeful for an increase in purchasing activity in March due to seasonally higher business activity in spring.
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade hot rolled coil (HRC) according to EN 10219 are being given to the Bulgarian domestic market at around BGN 950-1,000/mt ($549-578/mt) ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on theoretical weight basis.
Export quotations of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are at levels of €480-510/mt ($542-576/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €500-530/mt ($565-599/mt) ex-works.
$1 = BGN 1.73
€1 = $1.13