Apac logistic occupiers more cautious, but most still looking to expand: CBRE survey
Generally, 44% of CBRE’s survey respondents showed trade-related governing obstacles as a major concern, up from 32% in 2023. Nonetheless, respondents continued to place economic unpredictability and price escalation as the two largest difficulties facing inhabitants in the next 2 years, at 60% and 56%, specifically.
CBRE’s questionnaire even disclosed a change among tenants towards more cost-driven realty techniques. Participants ranked lesser rents and better lease terms as the top factors influencing relocations and lease renewals, while numerous are also seeking closeness to transportation centers, customer bases, and supply chains to boost operational efficiency.
However, expansion appetite varies across individual markets. Based on the report results, India, the Middle East and Korea recorded the strongest net expansion interest at 66%, 49% and 40%, specifically. Vietnam (34%), Singapore (33%) and the Philippines (33%) registered the next-highest attention levels, followed by Thailand (28%) and Australia (25%).
In spite of the unpredictable international trade setting, several occupants are looking beyond temporary market volatility, states CBRE. Some 76% of its survey respondents suggested plans to broaden their property profile size in the following three to five years, signalling positive outlook throughout the medium- to long-term outlook and a strong appetite for development, the business adds in.
The study, which collected answers from over 380 business around Apac in between March and April, found that occupiers in China mostly steered the more mindful position, because of prospective negative effects from tougher United States trade laws. Almost 70% of participants in mainland China determined trade doubt as their top challenge in the next 2 years.
Graeme includes that government-led infrastructure investments, integrated with development by top-tier logistics competitors and robust capital inflows into modern logistics assets, are reinforcing Singapore’s role in the international supply chain.
According to CBRE, Singapore continues to stand out amongst logistics occupants, particularly for hi-tech manufacturing and life technologies industries. “Singapore remains to draw international occupants, thanks to its credibility as a strategically positioned, neutral, and steady logistics center,” states Graeme Bolin, CBRE’s Singapore head of occupier and leasing for industrial and logistics work.
Logistics tenants in Asia Pacific (Apac) stay positive in overall organization leads, in spite of expanding cautiousness amidst ongoing trade protocol uncertainty. According to CBRE’s 2025 Asia Pacific Logistics Occupier Survey, near-term confidence amongst occupiers has dropped this year, with 69% expecting service efficiency to boost in the subsequent 2 years, compared to 81% in 2023.
