Real Estate: Total demand for industrial and logistics rental space up 64% in first nine months 

  Total demand for industrial and logistics rental space in Romania reached nearly 640,000 sqm in January-September, up 64% compared with the same period last year, according to data from a real estate consultancy, covering only publicly reported transactions.The industrial and logistics sector posted strong growth in the first three quarters of 2025, driven by intense activity around Bucharest, informs a press release .According to Colliers, total demand for rental space reached nearly 640,000 sqm in January-September, up 64% compared with the same period last year. Bucharest and its surrounding areas accounted for almost 70% of transactions, supporting a potentially record year for the local logistics market, the source noted.North-eastern and south-eastern regions recorded the highest growth rates, albeit from a smaller base, boosted by infrastructure developments and expanding investments in production and logistics services."In 2025, the market shifted significantly compared with previous years, with companies refocusing on the Bucharest-Ilfov area after a period of stronger interest in other regions. However, we see this as an exception, not a new rule. Over the medium and long term, we expect other regions to continue growing faster due to better labour availability, lower employment costs, and new infrastructure projects that make them increasingly attractive," said Victor Cosconel, Partner and Head of Leasing, Office & Industrial Agencies at Colliers.In the first nine months of 2025, almost 450,000 sqm of industrial and logistics space were leased in Bucharest and surrounding areas, 62% above the five-year average and more than double the pre-pandemic level (2017-2019).Although on a smaller scale, north-eastern Romania saw a 211% increase and south-eastern Romania 143%, driven by the construction of the A7 motorway and planned infrastructure investments.Nationally, total industrial space demand rose by almost two-thirds to around 640,000 sqm. The logistics (3PL) sector dominated, generating roughly 45% of demand, followed by retail/FMCG. Many logistics companies serve major retailers, highlighting that most transactions are ultimately driven by domestic consumption, consultants noted.Leases for production purposes fell to just 13% of total demand in 2025, nearly half the recent average, though interest remains strong, particularly from Asian companies.Eurostat data indicate that Romanian warehouses and logistics centres operate at roughly 90% capacity, slightly above the EU average, allowing operators to expand without market imbalances.Romania currently has around 8 million sqm of modern logistics space, which could potentially double to match regional peers. Per capita, Romania has nearly 420 sqm of modern logistics space per 1,000 inhabitants, well below Poland (973), Hungary (617), and the Czech Republic (1,165), indicating significant growth potential."Considering the rapid expansion of retailers and ambitious plans of brands in the market, demand for storage space is set to remain very high in the following period, too. Moreover, new motorways and planned rail investments will open entirely new areas of interest for tenants and developers. In our view, the industrial sector remains the highest-growth segment of Romania's real estate market," added Victor Cosconel.Colliers is a global leader in real estate consultancy and investment management, with annual revenues of USD 5.5 billion.