Low demand, decreasing flats prices and high stocks have caused a significant decrease in prices for welded pipe in Turkey. Suppliers are trying to minimize their stocks and are offering big discounts to buyers. However, some retail traders are even more aggressive as the demand in the market is limited and is not sufficient for the present level of supply. “It is not the usual situation because usually traders’ prices are higher than the mills’ prices. The producers find it hard to reduce prices further since we keep receiving higher-priced HRC from previous contracts,” a source told SteelOrbis.
Currently, according to market players, local prices for welded pipes in Turkey are at $950-970/mt ex-works from mills, while some say there are aggressive sales in the Marmara region at $920/mt ex-warehouse. In the meantime, last week offers were at $1,020/mt and above.
** Prices are given for ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from HRC of S235 grade as per EN 10219, on theoretical weight basis.