Late Payments Plague 83% of CEE Suppliers, Atradius Survey Shows
Event summary
- 83% of Central and Eastern European suppliers report late payments, with nearly 1 in 3 invoices overdue.
- 60% of companies blame customer liquidity pressure for payment delays.
- 46% of B2B sales in the region are made on credit, up from 54% paid at point of sale.
- Reduced liquidity headroom and rising financing needs are the top impacts on working capital.
- Sticky inflation and rising costs are worsening the liquidity gap across CEE.
The big picture
The survey highlights how sticky inflation and economic uncertainty are reshaping payment behavior in Central and Eastern Europe. With nearly half of B2B sales on credit and late payments affecting the vast majority of suppliers, the region faces growing working capital challenges. These trends point to broader liquidity pressures that could intensify if interest rates rise further.
What we're watching
- Liquidity Cycle
- How worsening customer credit quality and delayed payments will reinforce financing strains.
- Financing Costs
- Whether rising borrowing costs will deepen liquidity constraints for CEE firms.
- Trade Credit Reliance
- The pace at which companies increase trade credit use to sustain sales amid tighter liquidity.
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