Apac logistic occupiers more cautious, but most still looking to expand: CBRE survey
According to CBRE, Singapore remains to stand apart among logistics tenants, particularly for hi-tech production and life technologies sectors. “Singapore continues to draw international occupiers, because of its reputation as a strategically established, neutral, and stable logistics hub,” says Graeme Bolin, CBRE’s Singapore head of occupier and leasing for industrial and logistics services.
In spite of the uncertain international trade environment, several tenants are looking further than short-term market volatility, says CBRE. Some 76% of its survey respondents suggested plans to expand their realty account scale in the next three to 5 years, signalling positive outlook throughout the medium- to long-term outlook and a solid hunger for growth, the company adds in.
Generally, 44% of CBRE’s poll respondents showed trade-related regulative challenges as a significant problem, up from 32% in 2023. Nonetheless, respondents continued to place economic uncertainty and cost acceleration as the two greatest obstacles facing inhabitants in the following 2 years, at 60% and 56%, respectively.
The survey, which in turn gathered answers from over 380 companies across Apac between March and April, identified that occupiers in China primarily generated the more careful view, as a result of possible unpleasant influences from tougher US trade protocol. Just about 70% of respondents in mainland China determined trade unpredictability as their top difficulty in the next two years.
CBRE’s questionnaire additionally revealed a switch amongst tenants in the direction of more cost-driven real estate methods. Participants ranked reduced rents and better lease terms as the top factors influencing relocations and lease renewals, while numerous are also seeking distance to transportation hubs, consumer bases, and supply chains to boost operational efficiency.
Logistics occupants in Asia Pacific (Apac) remain confident in overall business prospects, in spite of expanding cautiousness in the middle of recurring trade protocol uncertainty. According to CBRE’s 2025 Asia Pacific Logistics Occupier Poll, near-term assurance among occupiers has actually dropped this year, with 69% anticipating business efficiency to improve in the subsequent 2 years, compared to 81% in 2023.
However, growth desire differs throughout individual markets. Based on the survey feedbacks, India, the Middle East and Korea captured the highest net expansion interest at 66%, 49% and 40%, specifically. Vietnam (34%), Singapore (33%) and the Philippines (33%) registered the next-highest attention levels, complied with by Thailand (28%) and Australia (25%).
Graeme adds that government-led infrastructure financial investments, incorporated with development by top-tier logistics competitors and robust funding inflows into modern logistics assets, are enhancing Singapore’s role in the global supply chain.
