Late Payments Grip 83% of Central and Eastern European Suppliers

The regional data reveals a fragile balance: while 54% of B2B transactions occur at the point of sale, the remaining 46% are conducted on credit, exposing businesses to the current liquidity crunch. About 60% of companies identify customer liquidity struggles as the primary driver behind the payment delays, creating a domino effect on working capital.

Silvia Ungaro, Senior Advisor on B2B payment trends at Atradius, notes that the widening liquidity gap is compressing margins and weakening demand. This environment forces companies to secure external financing to bridge gaps, yet rising borrowing costs turn this safety net into a liability. As firms struggle to manage cash flow planning, the resulting cycle of delayed payments and increased financing reliance threatens to stall long-term investment across the region.