Chinese companies have leased more than 65,000 square metres of industrial space in Barcelona since 2021, driven by e-commerce and clean energy logistics, a Cushman & Wakefield report has found. The expansion by firms including Alibaba and Aosom is cited as a key source of demand in the region’s industrial real estate market.
Logistics Demand Pressures
The report identifies electric vehicles, batteries, clean energy, and e-commerce as key drivers behind the growth, requiring space for inventory and European distribution networks. This surge in demand has contributed to tightening availability in Barcelona’s industrial sector, particularly for warehouses between 10,000 and 25,000 square metres, the most common size, where vacancy now stands at just 4%.
The logistics sector continues to benefit from Barcelona’s strategic position as a gateway for international trade.
In Madrid, the equivalent vacancy rate is 12%, according to the Cushman & Wakefield Madrid MarketBeat Q2 2024 report. The firm warns that decreasing warehouse availability in Barcelona may lead to further rent increases in 2026.
Industrial Expansion Across Europe
Since the beginning of 2024, 197 new facility openings and defence-related investments have been recorded across Europe, more than half of which are new facilities. Spain is among the main destinations for this industrial expansion, alongside Germany, the UK, France, and Italy.
Cushman & Wakefield notes a particular interest in northern Spain for industrial investments, which could generate further demand for land, advanced manufacturing sites, and logistics infrastructure. This trend is linked to broader efforts to strengthen European production capacity and increased public spending on defence.
Sources: viaempresa.cat, assets.cushmanwakefield.com, Patrycja DZIKOWSKA.
