According to the International Tube Association (ITA), global pipe production grew by 10% year-on-year in 2025, reaching 177.9 million tonnes. Against this backdrop, March 2026 exhibits divergent dynamics across regions: welded pipe quotations in Turkey are rising significantly, while the US OCTG market remains stable. Further price signals from industry agencies such as Kallanish, Baker Hughes, Kpler, and EUROFER highlight the impact of energy, logistics, and hot-rolled coil (HRC) costs on the pipe segment.
Global Context: Demand Grows, but Markets React Differently
The global pipe market maintains a positive mid-term outlook driven by new pipeline projects, hydrogen infrastructure development, carbon capture solutions, and industrial growth in India, China, and the Middle East. However, demand remains concentrated: approximately 51% of consumption stems from the oil and gas sector. The dominance of welded pipes, which account for a 73% market share, makes the industry sensitive to HRC prices. The fastest growth in 2025 occurred in the segment for pipes over 16 inches, where production surged by 37% year-on-year to 31 million tonnes.
Meanwhile, the European market operates under the pressure of high energy costs, narrowing manufacturer margins and increasing the risk of industrial relocation. According to EUROFER estimates, the industry's recovery will be gradual: 0.2% in 2025, 0.8% in 2026, and 1.5% in 2027. This suggests that future pipe consumption depends increasingly on construction, as the energy and machinery sectors have yet to generate strong momentum.
Impact on Pipe Prices and Market Solutions for Buyers from winox.ua
In Turkey, Kallanish reports that welded pipe prices rose by $60/t in March, reaching $655/t FOB Turkey. Key drivers include increased demand from European buyers, reduced supply, and rising HRC prices, which averaged $608/t. Despite subdued sentiment in Turkish construction, the market expects high quotations to persist in the near term due to fears of further price and freight increases.
For companies procuring rolled metal and pipe products, this situation necessitates more precise inventory and contract planning. In these conditions, winox.ua serves as a reliable partner for B2B clients, ensuring stable supplies of rolled metal, stainless steel, and industrial materials even amidst global market volatility. When price pressure on the pipe segment persists, procurement predictability, product quality, and logistical flexibility come to the forefront.
The USA, Oil, and the Ukrainian Context of the Pipe Market
In the American OCTG market, March prices stabilized at an average of $2,053/t FOB North America, even as oil quotations rose sharply. Following the conflict in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, WTI prices jumped 56% month-on-month to $101.6 per barrel, yet pipe producers and oil sector consumers remain in a wait-and-see position. Simultaneously, Baker Hughes data shows a decline in the US rig count to 543 units by late March, the lowest level since November 2021.
Separately, a potential surge in US oil exports should be considered. Kpler estimates that April crude oil shipments from the US could rise to 5.2 million barrels per day, primarily due to a sharp increase in demand from Asian countries. For the pipe segment, this could mean strengthened demand for extraction-related products if high oil prices persist.
The Ukrainian market also remains relevant in this context. Interpipe is expanding its presence in the extraction product segment, fulfilling deliveries to European standards, developing new types of tubing and casing, and closing the deal to acquire the ArcelorMittal Tubular Products plant in Romania. This indicates that Ukrainian manufacturers are striving to strengthen their positions in higher-margin niches where technical requirements and certification serve as key competitive advantages.