India's Warehousing Demand Soars 29% in 2025, Hits Post-Pandemic High

India's industrial and warehousing market saw a 29% year-on-year surge in demand in 2025, reaching 72.5 million square feet, the highest growth since the pandemic. The manufacturing sector, excluding FMCG and FMCD, was the largest driver, accounting for 47% of the total transaction volume. Pune emerged as the top market with 86% growth, while Grade A facilities remained the occupiers' preferred choice. The strong performance underscores India's strengthening role as a resilient and strategic hub in global supply chains.

Key Points: India Warehousing Demand Up 29% in 2025 | Knight Frank Report

  • 29% YoY growth to 72.5 mn sq ft
  • Manufacturing drives 47% of demand
  • Pune leads with 86% growth
  • E-commerce space take-up jumps 56%
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India's industrial, warehousing demand rises 29 pc in 2025

India's industrial & warehousing demand rose 29% YoY to 72.5 mn sq ft in 2025. Pune leads with 86% growth. Manufacturing drives 47% of volume.

India's industrial, warehousing demand rises 29 pc in 2025
"India will further strengthen its position as a preferred manufacturing and distribution hub - Shishir Baijal, Knight Frank India"

New Delhi, March 5

Indian real estate market posted 29 per cent year-on-year increase in warehousing demand to 72.5 million sq ft, marking the highest growth in the post-pandemic period, a report said on Thursday.

Property consultancy Knight Frank India said that Q4 2025 emerged as the strongest quarter of the year, posting 23.4 million sq ft worth of transactions.

Grade A facilities remained the preferred choice among occupiers, accounting for 63 per cent of leased space in 2025, compared to 62 per cent in the same period last year, the report said.

Manufacturing occupiers (excluding FMCG and FMCD) maintained their lead as the largest demand driver, commanding 47 per cent of total volume with 34 million sq ft transacted in 2025 up 55 per cent YoY.

India's industrial and warehousing markets delivered a strong performance in 2025, driven by sustained demand from manufacturing, third party logistics (3PL), e-commerce and allied sectors, it added.

Pune emerged as the most prolific market, recording (16 million sq ft) in transactions, marking an 86 per cent YoY growth and capturing a 22 per cent share of total volumes. Manufacturing transactions were notably concentrated in Pune and Chennai, which together accounted for 51 per cent of manufacturing leasing activity during the year.

"As global trade realigns and infrastructure investments accelerate, we remain confident that India will further strengthen its position as a preferred manufacturing and distribution hub, driving sustained demand for high-quality, institutional-grade warehousing in the years ahead," said Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India.

Mumbai led the market with a 31 per cent share of total stock, followed by NCR at 21 per cent. All markets except Kolkata and Hyderabad grew in terms of transaction volumes. The distribution of activity signals a maturing market where capital and occupiers increasingly align with established manufacturing ecosystems like in Pune, the report said.

The market's performance reinforced India's growing role as a resilient, scalable and strategically positioned hub within global and regional supply chain networks, the firm said. Vacancy levels were stable at 11.6 per cent during the year.

Space take-up by e-commerce players increased 56 per cent YoY in 2025, absorbing 7.8 million sq ft, the highest annual volume recorded since 2021.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Impressive numbers, but I hope this warehousing boom is sustainable and not just a bubble. Also, the report says all markets grew except Kolkata and Hyderabad. Need to understand why those two lagged behind. Development should be more balanced across the country.
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Rohit P
E-commerce absorbing 7.8 million sq ft with 56% growth! No surprise there. Every festival sale, my society's lobby is flooded with packages. The logistics backbone is expanding just as fast as our online shopping habits. 😅
S
Sarah B
Working in the 3PL sector in Mumbai, I've seen this demand firsthand. The shift to Grade A facilities is key for efficiency and technology integration. Stable vacancy at 11.6% shows it's healthy, demand-led growth. Good for the overall economy.
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Vikram M
Pune with 86% YoY growth is mind-blowing! It's becoming the Detroit of India for manufacturing and warehousing. But with this growth, the city authorities need to seriously upgrade infrastructure - roads, water, and public transport can't handle this pace.
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Karthik V
Positive data, but let's not forget the environmental impact. All these new warehouses and industrial parks... are they following green building norms? Growth is good, but sustainable growth is better. Hope the report next year includes a section on ESG compliance.

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