As an indispensable basic fastener in the construction field, hot-dip galvanized steel nails, with their excellent corrosion resistance brought by the galvanized layer, will embrace structural development opportunities in 2025. The dual drive of domestic industrial chain advantages and overseas infrastructure demands has led the industry to exhibit distinct characteristics of "export leadership, quality improvement, and regional agglomeration", becoming a growth highlight in the metal products sector.
Structural growth in the export market is the core driving force of the industry. From January to September 2025, the export performance of construction nail products represented by hot-dip galvanized steel nails was outstanding. The cumulative export volume of 4-inch hot-dip galvanized iron nails alone reached 386,000 tons, increasing by 5.3% year-on-year. The total export value was 698 million US dollars, with a growth rate of 6.8%. Market demand shows a significant regional differentiation. Emerging economies such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa have become core incremental markets. Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines rank among the top three export destinations, collectively accounting for 37.4% of the export share. The 8.1% growth rate of fixed asset investment in ASEAN countries and the 14.2% increase in new housing construction in Vietnam have directly driven the demand for hot-dip galvanized steel nails. Chinese products account for nearly 45% of the Vietnamese market.
The demand differences among various overseas markets drive the upgrading of product structure. The Middle East market is showing a trend towards high-end development. Due to infrastructure investment under the "Vision 2030", the demand for high-tensile strength hot-dip galvanized steel nails in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has soared. The export share of such products has risen from 31% in 2024 to 38%. The newly implemented SASO IEC 60335-2-96 standard in Saudi Arabia has forced enterprises to enhance the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of their products. ISO 9001 and CE certifications have become the "passports" for exports. In the African market, cost-effectiveness is highly valued. Chinese hot-dip galvanized steel nails, with a price advantage of 13.6% lower than that of Turkish products, have occupied major markets in countries such as Nigeria and Kenya, supporting local livelihood projects like the "One Million Housing Plan".
Domestic industries are consolidating their competitiveness through technological upgrading and model innovation. To meet overseas standards, leading enterprises have stably controlled the thickness of hot-dip galvanized coatings within a higher range and, in combination with zinc resource recycling technology, achieved a win-win situation of extending product lifespan and promoting green production. The South China region has become a core export hub thanks to its port advantages. In 2024, the exports of related products from Shenzhen Port and Nansha Port increased by 14.8% year-on-year. Meanwhile, enterprises actively respond to changes in trade rules by adopting models such as overseas warehouses in Southeast Asia and local assembly plants in Africa to avoid regional tariff barriers, maintaining an export compliance rate of over 97%.
Looking ahead, the infrastructure demand in the countries along the Belt and Road Initiative will continue to unleash momentum. It is expected that the export growth rate of hot-dip galvanized steel nails will remain at 5% to 7% throughout 2025. Industry experts point out that enterprises need to focus on two major directions: one is to develop new products that meet environmental protection standards for the high-end markets in Europe and America; the other is to improve the "product + service" model to meet the comprehensive demands of overseas customers for construction guidance and logistics support. This will become the key to the continuous growth of the industry.