The industrial real estate market in Hungary hit the vacancy rate of 5.5% in the first half of 2017, which is the lowest number on record since it has been measured by the Budapest Research Forum (BRF). In total, less than 73,000 sqm space is currently vacant in the Budapest metropolitan area of the 1.95 million sqm total modern logistics area, and only four Class A buildings can offer more than 5,000 sqm contiguous warehouse space. The lack of available space is due to the strong absorption of the last few years, and at the same time there are still limited number of speculative projects in progress or have building permits, says Tamás Beck, Director of Industrial Agency at Colliers International Hungary.

In the first half of 2017 the warehouse market was unquestionably the fastest growing commercial property sector in Poland. The highest volume of industrial and warehouse space was delivered to the market around Poznań, i.e. 133,000 sqm, while the largest scheme of 161,000 sqm is currently under construction in Szczecin. The record numbers in respect of the schemes delivered to the market are not discouraging developers from commencing new projects.

Prologis has secured a 146,500 square metre lease with Tesco Stores Slovakia at Prologis Park Galanta-Gáň. The transaction includes 55,000 square metre new lease of a recently completed build-to-suit facility and a 91,500 square metre lease renewal.

1.72 million sqm of industrial space was leased in Poland in H1 2017 which is the best result in market history. Net take-up totalled 1.3 million sqm which is the third best result in Europe. Total demand is likely to be 3 million sqm by the end of 2017.JLL summarised H1 2017 on Poland's industrial market.

In H1 2017, the supply of industrial space stood at almost 793,000 sqm and as a result the total stock in Poland exceeded 12 million sqm. It was over 10% more than in H1 2016 when the level of supply amounted to 659,000 sqm, according to the latest report by Colliers International. 

Gross take-up on the Romanian industrial market grew by 54% in H1 2017, compared with the same period of 2016, to 350,000 sqm. According to JLL Romania, the total demand for industrial space reached 180,000 sqm in the second quarter, a comparable level with the one registered in the first quarter of this year.

Net take-up on the Czech industrial market in Q2 2017 totalled 231,200 sqm, representing a yearly decrease of 11%. The vacancy rate reached 4.1%, having decreased marginally by 6 bps since Q1 2017. The Industrial Research Forum announced the industrial market figures for Q2 2017. 

Panattoni Europe launched the courier parcel distribution centre project for GLS Poland. This cross-dock facility will cover approx. 7,600 sqm and is being developed in the BTS and BTO formula in Janki near Warsaw. Execution of the project officially commenced on 20 July and the actual project start-up is scheduled for February 2018.

CTP, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and BCR announced the closing of a credit facility totalling €75.8 million, of which €36.7 million were granted by EBRD and €39.1 million by BCR. The loan will support the expansion of CTPark Bucharest West by two new warehouses totalling over 70,000 sqm. The total investment in this expansion phase will reach €108.9 million. With a total planned 600,000 sqm lettable area, CTPark Bucharest West is designed to become the biggest, as well as fastest growing industrial park in the country and the region. BCR acted as mandated lead arranger, documentation, facility and security agent.

Total demand on the Budapest industrial property market amounted to 212,750 sqm in Q2 2017, which is the highest quarterly volume ever on record. The Budapest Research Forum published its quarterly industrial market analysis.