Polish warehouse market shows stability amid reduced activity in Q1 2025
by CIJ News iDesk III 
2025-05-28 
logistics
/uploads/posts/9ee9447267b946205f748ccdaf86481f033dc7af/images/1461422626.jpg

The Polish warehouse and industrial space market remained stable in the first quarter of 2025, despite a slowdown in new activity. According to reports by AXI IMMO and CBRE, total demand exceeded 1.1 million square metres, marking a year-on-year increase of approximately 20%. However, the structure of this demand reflected cautious market behaviour, with contract renewals accounting for 56% of all transactions. Net demand, which includes new leases and expansions, declined by 19%. Jakub Kizielewicz, CEO of Opteamic Group, a logistics and production outsourcing provider, noted that lower tenant turnover and the preference for established locations benefit operational predictability. He added that such conditions support long-term workforce planning and allow outsourcing providers to focus on process efficiency and flexibility in a more consistent working environment. Warehouse stock in Poland now exceeds 35.3 million square metres, placing the country fifth in Europe. However, new supply dropped by 20% compared to the previous year, and the volume of space under construction fell by 41%. Developers are prioritising quality and tailored solutions over volume, aligning with broader efforts to create more resilient and sustainable supply chains. For outsourcing companies, these trends support a focus on quality service delivery and specialisation, particularly in sectors such as e-commerce, retail, and third-party logistics (3PL), where the demand for adaptable employment models remains steady. Location continues to play a critical role in tenant decisions. The regions of Mazovia, Silesia, and Łódź remain the most active, benefiting from strong infrastructure, access to labour, and educational institutions. These areas recorded leasing activity of 267,000, 228,000, and 152,000 square metres respectively, according to AXI IMMO. Conversely, some regions face rising vacancy rates. In the Lubuskie Province, the vacancy rate stands at 22.9%, and in the Świętokrzyskie Province, it is 17.2%. Labour shortages in these areas may be a contributing factor. Process outsourcing is increasingly being used not only for basic tasks but for managing entire logistics operations, team leasing, and designing warehouse workflows. Companies are placing greater importance on the integration of seasonal demand, technological requirements, and customer expectations. Looking ahead, 2025 is expected to be defined by cautious and strategic decision-making across the warehouse market. For companies like Opteamic Group, this environment presents opportunities to demonstrate the value of outsourcing as a means of ensuring operational continuity and strengthening business resilience.