Business · Economy · 10 hrs ago
Brazil’s high-grade warehouse vacancy rate falls to record low
Brazil’s high-grade logistics warehouse vacancy fell to 4.9% in the third quarter of 2026, its lowest level since records began in 2013.
The figure covers A and A+ warehouses across 23 states, where total stock reached 39.6 million square metres.
Ecommerce companies are driving demand, with Mercado Livre the largest occupier, followed by Shopee and Amazon.
Companies leased a combined 1.5 million square metres during the quarter, including space taken by Mercado Livre and Shopee.
Nearly 39% of warehouses under construction were pre-leased, as businesses sought space in well-located developments before completion.
Available space could meet demand for only six months if no further warehouses are delivered, down from 11 months a year earlier.
The consultancy said companies’ expansion plans may be constrained by a shortage of warehouses, making early leasing increasingly important.
Brazil’s vacancy rate for high-grade logistics warehouses fell to 4.9% in the third quarter of 2026, the lowest level in a series dating back to 2013.
The Binswanger Brazil consultancy said strong demand, especially from e-commerce companies, is driving the decline.
The country had 39.6 million square metres of high-grade warehouse space across 23 monitored states.
Projects under construction were 39% pre-leased in the third quarter.
At the current rate of absorption, existing supply would meet demand for six months if no additional space were delivered.
- Who
- Binswanger Brazil reported the figures. E-commerce companies were among the main sources of demand.
- What
- Brazil’s high-grade warehouse vacancy rate fell to a record-low 4.9%.
- When
- In the third quarter of 2026.
- Where
- Across 23 monitored Brazilian states.
- Why
- Strong demand for logistics and industrial warehouses, particularly from e-commerce companies, has reduced availability.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Existing warehouse supply was estimated to meet demand for 11 months.
Companies leased 921,000 square metres of A- and A+-grade industrial and logistics space; including Mercado Livre and Shopee, gross absorption reached 1.5 million square metres.
The vacancy rate fell to 4.9%, and 39% of warehouse projects under construction were pre-leased.
- Vacancy rate
- 4.9% in the third quarter of 2026
- Warehouse stock
- 39.6 million square metres across 23 states
- Regional share
- 72% of stock was in the Southeast
- Average asking price
- About R$35.10 per square metre per month
- Largest occupier
- Mercado Livre, with nearly 3.7 million square metres
- Availability at current absorption
- Six months if no more warehouses are delivered
1 source
What people are saying
Companies’ expansion plans may run up against a shortage of warehouses. Pre-leasing space is increasingly necessary to secure quality developments in the most sought-after locations.