India: ERW patra pipe prices show mixed trends w-o-w across key regions

• Trade activity remains need-based, cautious buying persists
  
  
• Raw material costs support prices, while demand remains subdued
  
  

ERW patra pipe prices (41-60 mm OD) showed mixed trends across key regions in the week ended 1 May 2026. While prices in Raipur remained stable w-o-w, those in Mandi Gobindgarh prices moved higher.

However, on a d-o-d basis, prices edged up in both markets. In Raipur prices rose by INR 200/t d-o-d to INR 46,300/t ex-works (exw) on 1 May, compared with INR 46,100/t exw on 30 April. Similarly, prices in Mandi Gobindgarh increased by INR 200/t d-o-d to INR 48,000/t exw on 1 May, up from INR 47,800/t exw a day earlier. Listed prices are ex-works and exclude 18% GST.

Weekly price trends

Raipur: Pipe prices in Raipur remained stable w-o-w at around INR 46,300/t exw on 1 May, after declining earlier in the week. Overall demand stayed weak, as buyers remained cautious amid falling prices and deferred purchases in anticipation of further declines. A BigMint source indicated that, labour shortages amid adverse hot weather conditions tightened raw material availability, thereby lending support to input prices. However, subdued end-user demand kept overall market activity muted despite constrained supply. With rising temperatures, this trend is likely to persist as long as heatwave conditions continue, while weak demand continues to cap any meaningful price recovery. However, towards the end of the week, sentiment improved, with some market participants expecting prices to edge higher in the coming days on expectations of gradual demand recovery.

Mandi Gobindgarh: Pipe prices in Mandi Gobindgarh rose by INR 200/t w-o-w to INR 48,000/t exw Mandi Gobindgarh on 13 March, up from INR 47,800/t a week earlier. Prices trended downward earlier in the week but recovered in the latter half, supported by firm raw material costs. Despite the improving trend, buying interest remained subdued, with market participants reporting no meaningful pickup in demand.

A BigMint source noted mid-week that, scrap tightness in the region continued to lend downside support to raw material prices, limiting any sharp decline. While some pipe sellers offered marginal discounts to stimulate sales amid weak demand, firm input costs restricted any significant correction and are expected to keep the overall pipe price trend slightly upward. Overall, market sentiment improved towards the end of the week, with participants indicating that prices are likely to edge higher in the coming days.

Raw material prices

HR strip (patra): HR strip (patra) prices in Raipur rose by INR 200/t w-o-w to INR 45,800/t exw on 1 May, from INR 45,600/t exw on 24 April. In contrast, patra prices in Mandi Gobindgarh edged up by INR 200/t w-o-w to INR 47,000/t exw on 1 May from INR 46,800/t a week earlier.

Billet: Billet prices in Raipur inched up by INR 50/t w-o-w to INR 42,100/t exw on 1 May, compared with INR 42,050/t in the previous week. However, billet prices in Mandi Gobindgarh stood at INR 45,400/t DAP, up by INR 400/t w-o-w from INR 45,000/t on 24 April.

Outlook

ERW patra pipe prices are expected to remain stable with a mild upward bias in the coming week, supported by relatively firm raw material costs. Tighter labour availability amid prevailing heatwave conditions and constrained scrap supply are expected to provide downside support to prices across markets, limiting the scope for any sharp correction. However, the sustainability of the overall trend will largely depend on the pace of demand recovery and movements in raw material prices.