In the twelve months of 2023, 24,704 construction equipment have been placed on the Italian market, with a 5 per cent decrease compared to 2022. More specifically, 23,779 earth moving machines (-5 per cent) and 925 road machines (+2 per cent) were sold in 2023. These figures have been released by Unacea, the Italian construction equipment association, based on sales data of manufacturers and importers. Comparing the fourth quarter of 2023 to the same period of 2022, the market sees a 7 per cent decline; the earthmoving machinery segment turns negative (-8 per cent), while road construction machines show an 18 per cent growth.

“The Italian market of construction equipment experiences a slight contraction in 2023 – said Michele Vitulano, president of Unacea. However, sales seem to have stabilised at very high levels, which we believe can be maintained in the coming quarters of 2024.”

Positive the results of foreign trade, as indicated by the latest Unacea-Cer foreign trade report. Exports between January and October 2023 surpassed Euro 2.8 billion, recording a +13 per cent compared to the same period in 2022. Imports also showed a positive trend, increasing by 13 per cent up to Euro 1.9 billion, in line with the surpassed performance observed in the Italian market. Trade balance remains in surplus by nearly Euro 965 million, reflecting a 14 per cent growth compared to the previous year.