Despite the low buying activity in the Romanian seamless pipe market, local producers have increased their quotations amid rising raw material costs. Thus, over the past month domestic prices for seamless pipes have grown by EUR 30 to EUR 40 per tonne, while export quotations have climbed by EUR 30 to EUR 80 per tonne.

Market participants do not think that seamless pipe demand will improve in the coming period in the domestic market. Growth in Romania is expected to come under pressure as a result of developments in the financial market, of reductions in economic aid packages to EU member states, developments in energy prices, budgetary restrictions to which Romania has committed itself under its agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission, and also as a result of public sector restructuring. At the same time, Romanian seamless pipe suppliers hope that interest from foreign customers will grow and that export sales will rise gradually.

Current local prices for Romanian seamless pipes of 2 inches to 6 inches size as per ASTM A106 or EN are at about EUR 840 to EUR 880 per tonne ex works.

Export offers of 4 inches to 6 inches seamless pipes made to EN 10210 of steel grade S355J2H are being given by domestic producer Tenaris Silcotub to the external markets at around EUR 830 to EUR 850 per tonne FCA. Export quotations of Romanian 6 inches seamless pipes as per API 5L grade B from ArcelorMittal Roman are in the range of EUR 760 to EUR 770 per tonne FCA, while 16 inches seamless pipes are at EUR 980 to EUR 1,000 per tonne FCA, with 20 inches seamless pipes at about EUR 1,130 to EUR 1,140 per tonne FCA.

(Sourced from www.steelorbis.com)