Driven by the rising raw material costs, China's welded pipe makers have increased the quotes.

It is said that the quotes of welded pipes have soared by CNY 50 to CNY 100 per tonne in the past two weeks, also, China's current export quotes of welded pipe have hiked by USD 10 per tonne.

Industry sources indicated that the current rising quotes of welded pipes were pushed up by the stockpile and the improved local demand.

Meanwhile, according to data of China Iron & Steel Association, China produced 3.248 million tonnes of welded pipes in March 2011, soared by 27.3% from 1.838 million tonnes in February. Also, it increased by 19.2% from March 2010.