- Need-based buying amid seasonal slowdown limits Raipur price gains
- Scrap shortages further tighten material availability, supporting Mandi prices
ERW patra pipe prices (41-60 mm OD) rose w-o-w across key regions in the week ended 7 Aug 2026, supported by higher raw material costs and tighter material availability. The price increase was more pronounced in Mandi Gobindgarh, where scrap shortages and production disruptions constrained material availability. In Raipur, prices rose marginally as higher HR strip and billet prices provided cost support, while need-based buying and the ongoing seasonal slowdown limited any meaningful upside.
However, on a d-o-d basis, prices edged lower in both markets. In Raipur, prices fell by INR 200/t to INR 45,300/t Exw on 7 Aug from INR 45,500/t on 6 Aug. Similarly, prices in Mandi Gobindgarh declined by INR 100/t to INR 48,500/t Exw on 7 Aug from INR 48,600/t Exw a day earlier. Listed prices are Ex-works (Exw) and exclude 18% GST.
Weekly price trends
Raipur: ERW patra pipe prices in Raipur rose by INR 100/t w-o-w to INR 45,300/t Exw on 7 Aug from INR 45,200/t a week earlier. The uptick was primarily driven by higher raw material prices, with HR strip and billet prices recording slight gains and providing cost support to pipe offers. However, demand remained largely need-based, with limited enquiries and bookings reported during the week.
A Raipur-based manufacturer stated, “Buying activity remained largely need-based, with enquiries and fresh bookings remaining limited during the week. Trading activity was relatively better in the initial days as rising raw material prices prompted some buying. However, the ongoing seasonal slowdown continued to limit overall market activity, keeping buyers largely cautious.”
Mandi Gobindgarh: ERW patra pipe prices in Mandi Gobindgarh increased by INR 400/t w-o-w to INR 48,500/t Exw on 7 Aug from INR 48,100/t a week earlier. The increase was mainly driven by supply-side constraints rather than any meaningful improvement in demand.
Ongoing GST inspections have slowed scrap movement, while shortages of suitable melting scrap have disrupted normal procurement and production activity. A Mandi-manufacturer indicated, “Around 15-20% mills have shut down production due to the scrap shortage, with the share likely to increase in the coming days. Supply availability had already been constrained by electricity cuts in previous weeks, while the worsening scrap shortage has further tightened production and market availability, supporting higher prices.”
Trading activity was relatively better during the first half of the week as concerns over tightening availability and potential shortages prompted buyers to book material. However, activity slowed again toward the latter half of the week as the persistent seasonal slowdown had yet to ease, while Kanwar Yatra-related logistical disruptions further limited market activity.
Market participants stated, “The ongoing Kanwar Yatra-related logistical disruptions are likely to continue weighing on demand and trading activity until 11 Aug, as a meaningful volume of pipes and patra from Mandi Gobindgarh is sold into Uttar Pradesh, with logistical constraints expected to hamper movement and slow trading activity between the two markets during this period.”
Raw material prices
HR strip (patra): HR strip (patra) prices in Raipur edged up by INR 100/t w-o-w to INR 44,500/t Exw on 7 Aug from INR 44,400/t on 31 July. Similarly, prices in Mandi Gobindgarh rose by INR 400/t w-o-w to INR 47,500/t Exw on 7 Aug from INR 47,100/t a week earlier.
Billet: Billet prices in Raipur inched up by INR 50/t w-o-w to INR 38,400/t Exw on 7 Aug from INR 38,350/t a week earlier. Meanwhile, billet prices in Mandi Gobindgarh increased by INR 400/t w-o-w to INR 42,500/t DAP on 7 Aug from INR 42,100/t on 31 July.
Outlook
ERW patra pipe prices are likely to show mixed trends across regions in the coming week, with Raipur remaining under pressure while Mandi Gobindgarh remains supported by tighter supply. In Raipur, firm HR strip and billet prices may provide some cost support, but limited enquiries, need-based buying and the ongoing seasonal slowdown are likely to keep market sentiment weak.
In Mandi Gobindgarh, persistent scrap shortages, GST-related inspections and production disruptions at some mills could further constrain material availability and support prices. However, Kanwar Yatra-related logistical disruptions are expected to weigh on trading activity until 11 Aug, which could limit the extent of this price support.
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