Activity in the Bulgarian welded pipe market is still quiet as players return slowly to the market. Market players report that customers from Germany are showing moderate interest in Bulgarian welded pipes, while other foreign buyers are mainly silent. Domestic sales are still sparse amid poor demand from the consuming industry. As a result, Bulgarian welded pipe producers have cut their export prices by €5-10/mt ($15-23/mt) over the past fortnight due to lack of demand, while domestic offers have decreased by BGN 30/mt ($27/mt) over the same period. The situation in the Bulgarian welded pipe market is unlikely to change much in the near term as demand is not expected to improve significantly. Accordingly, market players think welded pipe quotations from Bulgarian producers will likely remain stable in the coming period.
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 1,020-1,050/mt ($710-731/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 €495-520/mt ($674-708/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for February production. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €515-540/mt ($701-735/mt) ex-works.
$1 = BGN 1.44
€1 = $1.36