Apac logistic occupiers more cautious, but most still looking to expand: CBRE survey
According to CBRE, Singapore continues to attract attention amongst logistics occupants, specifically for hi-tech manufacturing and life sciences sectors. “Singapore remains to draw worldwide occupants, because of its reputation as a strategically positioned, neutral, and steady logistics center,” claims Graeme Bolin, CBRE’s Singapore head of occupier and leasing for industrial and logistics business.
Logistics occupants in Asia Pacific (Apac) stay confident in long-term company leads, regardless of expanding cautiousness amid continuous trade regulation uncertainty. According to CBRE’s 2025 Asia Pacific Logistics Occupier Report, near-term optimism among occupiers has decreased this year, with 69% expecting business performance to boost in the next 2 years, compared to 81% in 2023.
Overall, 44% of CBRE’s survey participants indicated trade-related governing obstacles as a major issue, up from 32% in 2023. Nonetheless, respondents remained to place economic uncertainty and price acceleration as the two largest challenges dealing with inhabitants in the next 2 years, at 60% and 56%, respectively.
The survey, which gathered responses from over 380 companies throughout Apac in between March and April, identified that occupants in China primarily drove the more careful sentiment, because of possible negative influences from tougher US trade policy. Nearly 70% of respondents in mainland China identified trade unpredictability as their top hurdle in the next two years.
Regardless of the unpredictable global trade setting, lots of occupiers are looking further than short-term market volatility, claims CBRE. Some 76% of its survey participants suggested strategies to increase their property profile scale in the following 3 to 5 years, signalling positive outlook throughout the medium- to long-term outlook and a solid cravings for development, the company adds.
Lyndenwoods UOL Group Limited and Singapore Land Group (Singland)
Graeme includes that government-led facilities investments, combined with expansion by top-tier logistics players and durable resources inflows right into modern logistics assets, are enhancing Singapore’s role in the worldwide supply chain.
However, development desire varies across individual markets. Based on the report responses, India, the Middle East and Korea documented the highest net expansion interest at 66%, 49% and 40%, specifically. Vietnam (34%), Singapore (33%) and the Philippines (33%) registered the next-highest interest levels, complied with by Thailand (28%) and Australia (25%).
CBRE’s poll additionally disclosed a change among occupants towards more cost-driven real estate strategies. Respondents placed lower rental fees and better lease terms as the top factors influencing relocations and lease renewals, whilst lots of are also seeking distance to transport hubs, consumer bases, and supply chains to enhance functional performance.
