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Preferred Construction Material Supplier and Competitor Survey February 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.

Improving Sentiment Amid Cost Pressures and Award Volatility

The February 2026 Preferred Supplier Survey, covering 175 projects valued at R15 billion, reflects improving contractor sentiment—particularly in Gauteng and the Western Cape—despite continued delays in major infrastructure projects and a sharp 77% y/y decline in January award values. Supplier selection remains driven primarily by professional teams and established account relationships rather than price, reinforcing the importance of technical support and reliability. Construction input costs accelerated to 4.8% y/y in January, exceeding CPI for the third consecutive month, with cement and imported materials facing renewed pressure. While the 12-month value of projects surveyed declined by 9.5%, tender activity has improved modestly, suggesting stabilisation rather than further contraction in early 2026.

Download the full report here (available to subscribers).

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