In the second semester of 2016 there was a total take up of 439,159m², an annual change of 145,5% with respect to the same period of the previous year. The figures show for themselves that the logistics sector is at a high point, due to, among other factors, the growth of electronic commerce throughout 2016. Amazon has played a very important role, with a take up of approximately 280,000m² in three projects in Catalunya: Castellbisbal, Constantí and El Prat de Llobregat.
The logistics sector in Catalunya has also seen growth in higher risk development such as the area of take up compared to the year before, with an accompanying progressive rent increase. The majority of consumption and increase in production in these businesses, as well as exports, have notably boosted sector growth. The reduction in available supply is also due to some operators exceeding predicted take up areas.
According to Forcadell’s report, investment in the industrial sector by smaller scale investors is exclusively for reasons of local patrimony or Family Offices while larger scale enterprises with a greater economic capacity base their interests in logistics investment on attractive profit potential. It is precisely this increased interest which brings with it an upward pressure in the market where an analysis of large scale completed transactions will continue.
As for total investment in logistics, bearing in mind the lack of end of year statistics, the final total is estmated to be similar to 2015 levels, at around 700 million euros. The lack of high quality logistic product for rent is making it essential to build new warehousing in order to allow for the rise in this sector. Present demand and the lack of supply lead to predictions that sale proces will continue their upward trend in 2017, while profitability will be more than 6.25%.