Prices to welded pipe producers to keep moving up in April

摘要

HRC prices to welded pipe producers in the European part of Russiawere stable in the first half of February, but mills raised quotes for extravolumes by 4% following a rise in export prices.A sizeable rise in export prices for Russian HRC in February (by?$50/tto $510/t FOB Black Sea) urged suppliers to raise domestic pricesbefore March. Meanwhile, export prices remained higher. According toMetal Expert’s forecast of changes in the external markets, prices forRussian HRC will go up by another 30?$/т to $540/t FOB Black Sea inMarch, followed by a decrease in April and May to $530/t and $510/trespectively. Considering tight correlation between domestic and exportprices, the situation in the global market will promote further increasein feedstock prices to welded pipe producers in March and April, andstabilization – in May.