Belgian construction sector recovers cautiously, auctions for used equipment grow strongly

Troostwijk Auctions Index Construction & Earthmoving Belgium: number of auctions rises by 23.5%, sold lots increase by 32.8%

Antwerp, 15 September 2026 – The number of construction and earthmoving equipment auctions via Troostwijk Auctions in Belgium rose by 23.5% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. The number of sold lots increased by 32.8% during that same period. This strong growth coincides with initial signs of recovery in the construction sector. Belgian construction turnover increased, and the Flemish Construction Barometer crossed back above the neutral 100 mark for the first time in a long while. At the same time, uncertainty among construction entrepreneurs remains high, and the scope for new investments is limited.

This is according to the Troostwijk Auctions Index Construction & Earthmoving Belgium, an analysis of auction data from the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Because the number of sold lots grew faster than the number of auctions, the average number of sold lots per auction rose by 7.6%. This means there were not only more individual auctions, but on average, more lots were sold per auction.

Cautious recovery, but uncertainty remains high

The Flemish Construction Barometer from Bouwunie rose from 98.8 to 100.1 in the second quarter of 2026, returning to above the neutral threshold of 100. Activity, order backlogs, and profitability in particular showed improvement. The share of Flemish construction SMEs with less than three months of work in their order book dropped from 41% to 37%, while the share with more than six months of work rose from 15% to 20%. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains high: 51% are dissatisfied with the economic situation in the construction sector, and 35% expect to have insufficient room for new investments.

Turnover development also points to a cautious recovery. According to Statbel, turnover in the Belgian construction sector was 4.7% higher in the first quarter of 2026 than a year earlier. Civil and commercial construction registered the largest turnover growth at 8.0%, followed by specialized construction activities at 4.0%. Turnover in road and hydraulic engineering remained stable.

However, a broad recovery is not yet taking place. According to Bouwunie, 1,300 jobs were lost in the Flemish construction sector between January 2025 and January 2026. High material and labor costs, expensive loans, and a decline in building permits also continue to put pressure on construction companies. Against this background, it is becoming increasingly important to efficiently deploy available capacity, equipment, and storage space.

"Among our customers, we see that even active companies are taking a sharper look at what they actually need for upcoming work," says Cedric Baetens, Auction Manager Industry at Troostwijk Auctions. "Once a project is completed, machines or materials are sometimes left over and not immediately redeployed. Rather than leaving them idle for long periods of time, companies can choose to sell them so they become productive elsewhere. In this way, equipment gets a second life and its lifespan is extended."

More auctions, higher average of sold lots

The total number of construction and earthmoving equipment auctions via Troostwijk Auctions in Belgium rose from 81 in the first half of 2025 to 100 in the same period of 2026; an increase of 23.5%. The number of sold lots grew from 341 to 453; a 32.8% increase. As a result, the average number of sold lots per auction rose from 4.2 to 4.5, representing a 7.6% increase.

There were not only more separate sales events, but on average, more lots also found a buyer per auction. The data does not indicate how many lots were originally offered, why individual sellers sold their equipment, or which seller groups were responsible for the growth.

Diverse reasons for selling equipment

The growth in the number of auctions at Troostwijk Auctions came almost entirely from voluntary sales. Out of 19 additional auctions, 18 came from non-bankruptcy sales. The number of voluntary auctions rose from 71 to 89; an increase of 25.4%. The number of voluntarily sold lots increased from 304 to 415, going up by 36.5%. For reference: the number of bankruptcy auctions rose from 10 to 11, and the lots sold through them increased from 37 to 38.

In this analysis, all non-bankruptcy sales channels are categorized as 'voluntary sales.' This broad category includes traders and dealers reselling equipment, active companies disposing of machinery or materials they no longer use, and entrepreneurs who decide to scale down or close their businesses, for example due to retirement. The data does not distinguish between individual reasons for selling and provides no insight into the size or development of the different seller groups.

"Nearly nine out of ten Belgian construction auctions with us in the first half of this year were voluntary sales," Baetens explains. "This shows that the auction channel is used much more broadly than just for forced sales. It allows machinery and materials to find a new owner, stay in use longer, and retain their economic value."

Used equipment takes on a broader market role

The auction figures are not a benchmark for the entire Belgian construction sector and do not prove a direct link between sector trends and the growth in auction activity. They do show that more auctions took place and significantly more lots were sold via Troostwijk Auctions. Because this growth came almost entirely from voluntary sales, the auction channel serves a broader function than just liquidating equipment in forced situations.

"Not every machine is needed within the same company at all times," says Nicolas Germanes, Country Manager Belgium at Troostwijk Auctions. "A well-functioning market for used equipment brings supply and demand together. Sellers can unlock value from equipment they no longer need, while buyers gain access to machinery and materials they can deploy immediately. In this way, existing equipment is used more efficiently and remains in service longer."