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• Create Date May 7, 2026
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Preferred Construction Material Supplier and Competitor Survey April 2026

The Preferred Supplier Survey, pioneered by Industry Insight, evaluates the Market Exposure Rate (MER) of key construction material suppliers within the construction industry. MER is used to measure supplier participation in projects based on their exposure to project values rather than sales volumes.

Construction Sector Faces Rising Cost Pressures Amid Weak Project Activity

The latest Preferred Supplier Survey (PSS) for April 2026 points to a construction market that remains under pressure, with contractors reporting subdued activity levels, delayed project awards and rising input cost pressures. The survey covered 202 projects valued at approximately R6.4 billion, with civil projects continuing to dominate activity. Contractors highlighted ongoing challenges related to delayed payments, weather disruptions, community interference and rising fuel-linked costs, while construction material inflation accelerated further during March 2026. Input costs continued to rise faster than headline inflation, placing additional pressure on contractor margins. Although building activity showed some resilience in provinces such as Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, overall construction project awards and civil sector activity remained weaker compared to a year earlier. Supplier selection across the industry also continued to be driven largely by professional team specifications and established supplier relationships, rather than price alone.

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