Demand for welded pipes in Saudi Arabia is currently low and not sufficient to maintain domestic and import quotations in their previous range. Import welded pipes have become cheaper for the Saudi market by $30-150/mt depending on the supplier. In particular, in the last three months South Korean pipe offers have decreased by $150/mt, Chinese pipe offers by $30-60/mt, and Indian offers by $200/mt. Under the influence of declining import quotations, local producers were obliged to cut their domestic prices for welded pipes by $45-55/mt during the period in question. Buyer activity is expected to see a revival only after the month of Ramadan, i.e., from the end of September.
Current local quotations from Saudi Arabia's largest welded pipe producers for 6"-16" sizes, grade B, as per ASTM A53/API 5L are at $625-675/mt ex-works (here and below on a theoretical weight basis).
Import prices for ex-South Korea welded pipes up to 16" sizes, grade B, as per ASTM A53, are about $700-750/mt C&F.
Most offers of ex-India ERW pipes of 1"-6" sizes (commercial quality) are given to the Saudi market at on average $680-700/mt C&F.
Finally, Chinese origin 2"-8" welded pipes of grade B, as per ASTM A53/API 5L, are offered at an average of $670-700/mt C&F.