Apac logistic occupiers more cautious, but most still looking to expand: CBRE survey
CBRE’s questionnaire also uncovered a switch among occupants towards even more cost-driven property methods. Participants ranked reduced leas and better lease terms as the top factors influencing relocations and lease renewals, whilst lots of are also seeking distance to transportation centers, client bases, and supply chains to enhance operational efficiency.
Generally, 44% of CBRE’s poll participants showed trade-related regulative challenges as a significant issue, up from 32% in 2023. Nonetheless, respondents remained to rank economic uncertainty and cost escalation as the two largest obstacles facing occupiers in the next two years, at 60% and 56%, respectively.
Graeme adds that government-led infrastructure financial investments, incorporated with expansion by top-tier logistics players and durable resources inflows right into modern logistics assets, are reinforcing Singapore’s role in the global supply chain.
In spite of the unsure international trade atmosphere, lots of occupiers are looking past temporary market volatility, says CBRE. Some 76% of its questionnaire participants indicated plans to increase their real estate account scale in the next three to five years, signalling optimism across the tool- to long-term outlook and a strong cravings for growth, the firm includes.
The study, which collected responses from over 380 companies throughout Apac between March and April, identified that occupiers in China mainly drove the more mindful position, as a result of potential unpleasant effects from tougher United States trade policy. Just about 70% of participants in mainland China determined trade unpredictability as their leading challenge in the following two years.
However, expansion appetite varies throughout individual markets. Based on the report feedbacks, India, the Middle East and Korea recorded the highest net expansion interest at 66%, 49% and 40%, respectively. Vietnam (34%), Singapore (33%) and the Philippines (33%) registered the next-highest attention levels, followed by Thailand (28%) and Australia (25%).
According to CBRE, Singapore continues to stick out amongst logistics occupants, specifically for hi-tech manufacturing and life sciences sectors. “Singapore continues to draw global occupants, thanks to its credibility as a strategically located, neutral, and steady logistics hub,” says Graeme Bolin, CBRE’s Singapore head of occupier and leasing for industrial and logistics work.
Logistics tenants in Asia Pacific (Apac) remain certain in continued company prospects, in spite of growing cautiousness amidst continuous trade policy unpredictability. According to CBRE’s 2025 Asia Pacific Logistics Occupier Report, near-term optimism amongst occupiers has actually declined this year, with 69% anticipating business efficiency to boost in the subsequent two years, compared to 81% in 2023.
