Demand for industrial warehouses drives prices and shifts activity towards secondary markets in Catalonia

Demand for industrial warehouses in Catalonia has remained active, particularly in the rental market, according to FORCADELL’s Industrial and Logistics Market Report for Catalonia for the first half of 2026. Interest is mainly concentrated on small and medium-sized properties: warehouses ranging from 501 to 2,500 sqm account for 75% of demand, confirming the importance of industrial, manufacturing and distribution SMEs. In the sales market, demand for industrial warehouses is more selective and is mainly focused on smaller assets. Warehouses of up to 500 sqm account for 45% of enquiries, while transactions involving properties larger than 5,000 sqm remain limited.

Limited supply constrains the market

The shortage of properties suited to demand requirements continues to be one of the main constraints affecting Catalonia’s industrial market. According to FORCADELL, availability is particularly limited in areas close to Barcelona and along established industrial corridors, where there is strong pressure on modern, well-connected warehouses that are ready for immediate occupation. This shortage is encouraging part of the demand to shift towards secondary markets.

The positive trend in rents across all the regions analysed, with annual increases of up to 12.27%, reflects the pressure on available supply and the gradual expansion of demand towards more distant locations.

Rental prices continue to follow a broadly upward trend. Barcelonès remains the leading market, with an average rent of €7.16/sqm/month, followed by Baix Llobregat at €5.00/sqm/month and Vallès Occidental at €4.92/sqm/month. Sales prices are also showing positive growth. Barcelonès records an average price of €1,198/sqm, while Baix Llobregat stands at €986/sqm. In this context, no significant price corrections are expected in the short term, as the shortage of quality properties and the rising value of land continue to support prices.

The logistics market grows by 58% year on year

Catalonia’s logistics market closed the first half of 2026 with a take-up of 484,901 sqm, representing year-on-year growth of 58%. This growth and the stabilisation of activity at high levels are not solely the result of a one-off transaction, but reflect sustained activity dominated by large-scale transactions. Investor interest in the logistics segment remains strong and consolidates Catalonia’s position as one of the leading markets on the Iberian Peninsula. However, the limited availability of properties for sale remains the main constraint preventing a higher volume of transactions.