Apac logistic occupiers more cautious, but most still looking to expand: CBRE survey
In general, 44% of CBRE’s poll respondents showed trade-related regulatory obstacles as a significant issue, up from 32% in 2023. Nonetheless, respondents continued to place economic unpredictability and price escalation as the two greatest obstacles facing occupiers in the following 2 years, at 60% and 56%, specifically.
According to CBRE, Singapore remains to stand out amongst logistics tenants, specifically for hi-tech manufacturing and life technologies markets. “Singapore remains to attract international occupiers, due to its credibility as a strategically located, neutral, and steady logistics hub,” states Graeme Bolin, CBRE’s Singapore head of occupier and leasing for industrial and logistics work.
The study, that collected responses from over 380 business across Apac in between March and April, identified that occupiers in China predominantly drove the more cautious view, because of prospective unpleasant influences from tougher United States trade policy. Just about 70% of respondents in mainland China determined trade uncertainty as their top challenge in the next 2 years.
Logistics occupants in Asia Pacific (Apac) stay confident in overall organization leads, despite growing cautiousness in the middle of ongoing trade policy unpredictability. According to CBRE’s 2025 Asia Pacific Logistics Occupier Survey, near-term confidence amongst inhabitants has actually decreased this year, with 69% anticipating business efficiency to improve in the upcoming 2 years, compared to 81% in 2023.
Graeme includes that government-led facilities investments, combined with development by top-tier logistics competitors and durable capital inflows into modern logistics assets, are reinforcing Singapore’s role in the international supply chain.
Nonetheless, growth appetite differs throughout individual markets. Based on the survey responses, India, the Middle East and Korea recorded the biggest 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 even uncovered a switch among occupiers towards even more cost-driven realty techniques. Respondents placed lesser leas and better lease terms as the top factors influencing relocations and lease renewals, whilst several are also looking for distance to transportation centers, customer bases, and supply chains to improve operational effectiveness.
In spite of the uncertain global trade environment, many tenants are looking beyond short-term market volatility, claims CBRE. Some 76% of its poll respondents suggested strategies to expand their real estate profile scale in the next 3 to five years, signalling optimism throughout the tool- to long-term outlook and a strong hunger for growth, the firm includes.
