Why Cold Storage May Defy the Tariff Crunch

As the U.S. economy grapples with rising costs driven by a new wave of tariffs, much of the commercial real estate landscape is shifting — and in some cases, stalling. But one sector could defy the trend: cold storage and food-linked distribution centers.

While tariffs have cast uncertainty across sectors such as multifamily housing and big-box distribution, the specialized world of temperature-controlled logistics is poised to hold its ground — and in some markets, even expanding.

Demand Tied to Essentials

“While tariff policies do not directly impact commercial real estate, they have a myriad of passthrough effects on the demand and supply drivers of CRE,” says Ermengarde Jabir, Director of Economic Research at Moody’s. “Opportunities will likely remain strong for cold storage warehousing, distribution, and grocery-anchored retail — properties with demand tied to food-related essentials.”

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