South American logistics market grows 10.7% in first half of 2026

The South American industrial Class A logistics market experienced a 10.7% year-on-year increase in leasing activity during the first half of 2026, totaling 1.73 million square meters. According to Cushman & Wakefield, activity was concentrated in São Paulo and Mexico City, though Lima and Bogotá saw the most significant growth, with increases of 232.2% and 189.9% respectively.

In contrast, some markets faced contractions, including Santiago, which saw a 50.2% decrease, and San José, which fell by 61.8%. Santiago currently faces a severe space shortage with a vacancy rate of only 0.3%. Regional vacancy dropped to 4.7%, driving average asking rents up by 4.7% to US$7.21 per square meter monthly.

Complementing these market trends, the Management Logístico 2026 event in Buenos Aires gathered over 1,700 professionals to discuss industry transformation. The event highlighted the push for efficiency and technological integration in response to tightening margins and rising consumer demands. In Argentina, the e-commerce sector reported revenues of ARS 19.5 trillion during the first half of the year.