- Higher raw material costs lift pipe prices further
- Weak buying interest persists, further weighed by festive slowdown
ERW patra pipe prices (41-60 mm OD) rose w-o-w across key regions in the week ended 18 September 2026, supported by higher HR strip and billet prices, which increased manufacturers’ input costs and prompted upward revisions in selling offers. However, buying activity remained subdued, with limited ground-level enquiries and buyers largely restricting purchases to immediate requirements. The festive-related slowdown further weighed on trading activity during the week, keeping transaction volumes muted despite the increase in pipe prices.
However, on a d-o-d basis, prices showed mixed trends across the two regions. In Raipur, prices remained unchanged at around INR 50,200/t exw on 18 September, while prices in Mandi Gobindgarh decreased by INR 200/t d-o-d to around INR 53,700/t exw. Listed prices are ex-works (exw) and exclude 18% GST.
Weekly price trends
Raipur: ERW patra pipe prices in Raipur rose by INR 700/t w-o-w to INR 50,200/t exw on 18 September from INR 49,500/t a week earlier. The increase was primarily driven by higher raw material prices, which raised input costs for pipe manufacturers and led them to revise offers upward. However, the higher offers were not supported by a corresponding improvement in buying activity, with manufacturers reporting limited enquiries during the week. Festive-related slowdown further weighed on purchasing interest, with trading activity largely limited to need-based requirements.
A Raipur-based manufacturer stated, “Buying activity has remained weak as buyers remain uncertain about the near-term price direction, with ground-level enquiries and working remaining limited. Moreover, the festive-related slowdown during the week further weighed on overall trading activity, resulting in slower transaction volumes.”
Mandi Gobindgarh: ERW patra pipe prices increased by INR 800/t w-o-w to INR 53,700/t exw on 11 September, from INR 52,900/t a week earlier. The increase was primarily driven by higher raw material costs, which raised manufacturers’ input costs and pushed up overall production expenses. In response, pipe manufacturers raised offers to protect margins and align selling prices with the higher cost base. However, the price increase did not translate into stronger buying activity, as elevated offers made buyers more cautious. Most buyers therefore limited purchases to immediate requirements, keeping overall market activity subdued.
Raw material prices
HR strip (patra): HR strip (patra) prices in Raipur rose by INR 800/t w-o-w to INR 49,300/t exw on 18 September from INR 48,500/t a week earlier. Similarly, prices in Mandi Gobindgarh increased by INR 800/t w-o-w to INR 52,700/t exw on 18 September from INR 51,900/t a week earlier.
Billet: Billet prices in Raipur surged by INR 1,050/t w-o-w to INR 44,600/t exw on 18 September from INR 43,550/t a week earlier. Meanwhile, billet prices in Mandi Gobindgarh increased by INR 700/t w-o-w to INR 48,000/t DAP on 18 September from INR 47,300/t on 11 September.
Outlook
ERW patra pipe prices are likely to remain supported in the coming week by elevated HR strip and billet prices, which continue to keep manufacturers’ input costs high. However, weak buying interest, limited ground-level enquiries and the festive slowdown are likely to keep trading activity subdued. With buyers largely restricting purchases to immediate requirements, sellers may face limited room to raise offers and may continue offering discounts to secure transactions. If raw material prices edge down while buying activity stays weak, pipe prices could come under some correction. Overall, the market is expected to remain cost-supported, but subdued demand may limit further price increases.
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