The total stock of industrial & logistics spaces surpassed 8 million sq. m across Romania at the end of Q1, confirming the rapid consolidation of this market segment,\u00a0according to the Romania Marketbeat Industrial Q1 2026 report published by the Cushman & Wakefield Echinox real estate consulting company.<\/p>\n
Approximately 115,000 sq. m of new spaces were delivered in the same quarter, while ~500,000 sq. m are currently under construction, supporting a positive outlook for the remainder of 2026 and the beginning of next year.<\/p>\n
The projects delivered in the first three months of the year are located almost exclusively in Bucharest (~70,000 sq. m) and Brasov (35,000 sq. m).\u00a0<\/p>\n
More than 400,000 sq. m of new projects are currently under development around Bucharest, meaning that the capital city\u2019s stock will surpass the 4 million sq. m threshold by the end of 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the same time, the leasing activity totaled 240,000 sq. m in Q1 2026, reflecting a moderate 7% decrease compared with the same period of 2025. However, if this volume is maintained throughout the remaining quarters, the 2026 take-up could reach ~1 million sq. m, in line with the last 6 years\u2019 average.<\/p>\n
The structure of transactions in Q1 2026 highlights a positive trend, with approximately 58% of the total volume generated by new demand (140,000 sq. m), illustrating the tenants\u2019 continued interest and confidence in developing and optimizing their logistics operations.<\/p>\n
Bucharest had the highest share in demand, accounting for nearly 55% of the total transacted volume nationwide. Timisoara ranked second, with a 22% share of the total. The overall vacancy rate stands at approximately 5.4%, a healthy level for the market.<\/p>\n
One of the largest projects which kick-started construction in Q1 is the first industrial & logistics park developed by the German group GARBE (in partnership with Fortress) in northern Bucharest, a project exceeding 60,000 sq. m GLA.<\/p>\n
Prime rents remained stable in Bucharest and in key regional industrial & logistics hubs such as Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Brasov, and Ploiesti, ranging between EUR 4.50 and EUR 4.75\/ sq. m\/ month. These levels could see upward adjustments in the coming quarters amid inflationary pressures and rising land prices, factors that continue to influence development decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the short term, Romania\u2019s industrial & logistics market is experiencing the effects of an uncertain economic environment and a more cautious approach from tenants, which explains the slight slowdown in leasing activity,\u201d said Rodica T\u00e2rcavu, Partner Industrial Agency, Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the fundamentals remain strong. \u201cOn the medium term, we expect the market to remain on a growth trajectory, supported by the clarification\/resolution of international conflicts and greater economic and political predictability both globally and nationally,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n