Demand for seamless pipes in Turkey remains at steady levels. In spite of this, however, import quotations have decreased over the past month under pressure from the aggressive pricing of Chinese suppliers. In the period in question, quotations of Ukrainian material have dropped by $45-60/mt, while offers of Russian seamless pipes have decreased by a maximum of $25/mt. Import offers of seamless pipes from China have declined by $40-50/mt over the same period. The future price tendency of seamless pipes from the CIS will depend on the Chinese prices. Currently, CIS suppliers are concerned that Chinese material will cause congestion in the Turkish market. Due to trade barriers for Chinese seamless pipes in the US and Europe, Chinese exporters are trying to enter alternative markets.
Current quotations for Chinese seamless pipes 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L are in the range of $710-750/mt C&F Marmara Sea ports.
November-December production pipes from Ukrainian producer Interpipe with diameter of 57-159 mm made of steel grade 10, 20 according to GOST 8731/8732 are being offered to the Turkish market at about $820-870/mt C&F. Offer prices ex-Ukraine from Duferco partner Dnepropetrovsk Tube Plant for October production 57-168 mm seamless pipes as per GOST 8731/8732 are at around $780-800/mt C&F.
Russian producers Uraltrubostal (Pervouralsky Novotrubny Works) and TMK (Taganrog Pipe Plant) are offering December-January production seamless hot-formed pipes with diameter up to 425 mm made to GOST 8731/8732 at about $770-780/mt C&F.