B2B payment practices trend, Mexico 2023

Payment Practices Barometer

  • Mexico
  • Chemicals/Pharma,
  • Steel,
  • Metals,
  • Automotive/Transport

Businesses are actively implementing strategies and measures to alleviate the challenges posed by B2B credit risk.

The 2023 Payment Practices Barometer survey for Mexico was conducted between the end of Q2 and the beginning of Q3 2023. Its findings should therefore be viewed with this in mind.

Key takeaways from the report for Mexico 

Businesses take action to ease grip of B2B credit risk

  • There was a change in dynamic of B2B sales transacted on credit among companies polled in Mexico. These fell sharply in the past year to average 44% of all B2B invoiced sales, with many businesses appearing to prefer the safer payment method of cash on delivery.
  • To mitigate customer credit risk, Mexican companies tightened payment terms offered in B2B trade during the past months. These now average 36 days from invoicing, compared to last year’s 52-day average. A major factor was reducing the time gap between paying suppliers and receiving customer payments.

Concern over volatility of global commodities prices amid mixed mood

  • Uncertainty about swings in energy and commodity prices at international level is a widespread focus of concern for companies polled in Mexico. The chemicals and steel/metals sectors are particularly worried these could have a significant impact on cost structures in the year ahead.
  • Persistent supply chain disruptions are also reported to be a potential headache for the chemicals sector, while another serious challenge that Mexican businesses polled expect to face during the coming 12 months is finding and retaining customers in a highly competitive market.

The Atradius Payment Practices Barometer is an annual survey of business-to-business (B2B) payment practices in markets across the world. Its findings can give valuable insights into the current dynamics of corporate payment behaviour in B2B trade. It can also help companies doing business, or planning to do so, in the markets polled to identify emerging future trends in the payment practices of B2B customers. 

Interested in finding out more?

For a complete overview of the 2023 survey results for Mexico and North America (USMCA), please download the full report available in the related documents section below. The Statistical Appendix to the regional report is also available for download in the section below.

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