The rents for industrial and logistics spaces in Bucharest and the country’s main logistics hubs remained stable in the first quarter, while rental costs are expected to increase in the coming period amid the limited number of projects developed on a speculative basis, according to the latest Romania Industrial Marketbeat report published by the real estate consultancy company Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.
With rents ranging between €4.30 and €4.70/sq. m/month, Romania remains the most affordable market in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of rental levels. The highest rents for industrial and logistics spaces are recorded in the Czech Republic, where they reach up to €7.75/sq. m/month, and in Poland, at €6.50/sq. m/month. In Hungary, industrial spaces are leased for up to €5.90/sq. m/month, while rents reach €5.10/sq. m/month in Slovakia and €5.40/sq. m/month in Bulgaria.
Key indicators in the region
Lower costs in Romania have encouraged companies to lease more industrial and logistics spaces. Consequently, compared with the rest of the region, the local market recorded the second-largest volume of industrial and logistics space leased during the first quarter, after Poland, the undisputed leader in Central and Eastern Europe, ahead of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
In the Czech Republic, the transacted area amounted to 160,000 sq. m, while in Slovakia it reached 107,000 sq. m, and companies in Hungary leased 109,000 sq. m of industrial and logistics space.
Industrial and logistics spaces around Bucharest in highest demand
Demand was concentrated mainly in Romania’s key logistics hubs, namely around Bucharest (50% of total volume), Ploiesti (10%) and Timisoara (6%), while companies also showed interest in Iasi, Craiova, Arad and Oradea.
The average size of a lease transaction nationwide was 4,800 sq. m, and in Bucharest, while in Timisoara, the country’s second-largest industrial hub, companies leased an average of 3,000 sq. m.
In Ploiesti, only one transaction was recorded, covering 19,000 sq. m. However, this was a sale-and-leaseback agreement, after manufacturer Tenneco sold the facility housing its production plant to developer WDP, while remaining in the property as a tenant.
Where are new industrial facilities being developed?
In terms of new project development activity, the first quarter was also marked by a slowdown in investment, as developers adopted a more cautious approach amid economic uncertainties and reduced the number of speculative projects. As a result, only 50,000 sq. m of new space was delivered during the first three months of the year, compared with 100,000 sq. m during the corresponding period in 2023. The total stock of industrial and logistics space reached 7.071 million sq. m. The vacancy rate stood at 6.1% in Bucharest and 5.0% at regional level.
Developers currently have projects totaling 500,000 sq. m under construction in various cities across the country. Bucharest, Timisoara and Brasov are the preferred destinations for developers, with approximately 50% of the projects scheduled for delivery located in these logistics hubs, while Slatina, Arad and Sibiu will also benefit from significant amounts of new space.
Projects under development and scheduled for delivery in 2024
| Project | City | Area (sq. m) | Owner/Developer |
|---|---|---|---|
| VGP Park Brasov | Brasov | 60,000 | VGP |
| WDP Park Slatina | Slatina | 48,000 | WDP |
| Logicor Pallady | Bucharest | 41,500 | Logicor |
| WDP Park Timisoara | Timisoara | 33,500 | WDP |
| Industra Park Arad | Arad | 33,000 | Oresa Industra |
