The Dutch logistics real estate market has entered a new phase. Although take-up of logistics space declined to 1.7 million sq m in 2025, this does not mean that occupiers require less space. Instead, they are consolidating their operations into fewer, but larger and more efficient distribution centres. This is one of the key findings of Savills latest Dutch Logistics Market Trends Report.
According to the international real estate advisor, the next logistics cycle in the Netherlands will not be defined by expansion, but by consolidation. Rising labour costs, energy prices and operational expenses are prompting occupiers to move away from fragmented logistics networks and opt for modern, future-proof locations where processes can be further automated.
Wouter van ’t Grunewold, Market Intelligence Analyst at Savills in the Netherlands, says: “Many market participants look at the lower take-up figures and conclude that demand is declining. However, what we are seeing is occupiers reducing the number of locations where they are present, not their total space requirements.”
The figures support this trend. The share of transactions larger than 25,000 sq m increased from 35.1% of total take-up in 2020 to 48.4% in 2024. Although economic uncertainty temporarily reduced activity in 2025, Savills expects consolidation to remain a defining factor in the years to come.
Third-party logistics providers (3PLs) remain the largest source of demand, accounting for 47.3% of total take-up between 2023 and 2025, according to Savills. Furthermore, the share of manufacturing companies is growing and now stands at 12.8%. This means that the occupier market is not only driven by e-commerce and traditional distribution companies.
Despite the decline in take-up, the underlying market fundamentals remain strong. Dutch logistics stock grew from 31.2 million sq m in 2016 to 51.4 million sq m at the beginning of 2026. At the same time, vacancy stands at just 6.3%, which Savills attributes to additional supply rather than a structural decline in demand.
There are also more constraints on the supply side. Following a peak of 3.1 million sq m in completions in 2022, the forecast development pipeline for 2026 currently stands at 1.9 million sq m.
Savills expects rents to continue to rise in the coming years and the company’s new Logistics Rent Forecast model predicts prime rental growth of at least 2.3% until 2028, with increases of up to 3.4% in the strongest logistics corridors.
Maarten Bulstra, Head of Logistics & Industrial at Savills in the Netherlands, says: “Occupiers are becoming increasingly selective. Modern buildings that offer flexibility, energy efficiency and operational economies of scale will make the difference. It is precisely these buildings that will outperform in the years ahead.”