Rice and Other Dry Processed Foods

Upon analysing the payment behaviour within the rice and other dry processed foods sector, based on a sample of 12 United Kingdom-based companies, the data suggests a generally stable yet moderately paced payment culture. The central tendency metrics indicate that the sector operates with an average payment time of 34.7 days, whilst the median sits slightly higher at 37 days. This minor discrepancy between the mean and the median suggests that the data is not heavily skewed by extreme outliers, although the presence of a top performer settling debts in a mere 8 days does pull the average down slightly. With a standard deviation of 13.1 days, there is a reasonable level of predictability in the sector’s cash flow patterns; however, suppliers should realise that a variance of roughly two weeks is standard practice amongst these entities.

When we organise the companies into specific bands of payment speed, the majority of the sector falls into the 'Moderate' category. Specifically, 41.7% of the analysed companies settle their accounts between 31 and 45 days, creating a definitive cluster around the median. A further 33.3% are classified as 'Fast' payers (0-30 days), demonstrating that a significant portion of the sector prioritises prompt settlement. It is encouraging to note that there are zero companies within the critical 90+ day bracket or the 61-90 day 'Very Slow' category. The interquartile range of 22 days—spanning from the 25th percentile at 25 days to the 75th percentile at 47 days—reinforces the view that whilst rapid payment is not guaranteed, extreme delays are equally uncommon.

However, a deeper dive into the performance breakdown reveals a nuanced picture that one must analyse carefully. Although no specific company averages a payment time of over 60 days (the slowest payer averages 57 days), the transactional data indicates that 15% of actual payments occur after 60 days. Furthermore, 15.9% of payments are classified as 'late'. This suggests that whilst companies generally manage an average cycle of under two months, they occasionally favour delaying specific invoices, perhaps for cash flow management or administrative reasons. Consequently, suppliers specialising in this sector should be prepared for occasional outliers in invoice settlement, even if the client's average behaviour appears robust.

Geographically, the sample is heavily centred in the East of England (4 companies), followed by an equal distribution amongst Yorkshire and The Humber and London (3 companies each). The West Midlands and North West representation is minimal. In summary, the rice and other dry processed foods sector displays a payment culture that generally respects 30 to 60-day terms. The single top performer paying in under 20 days demonstrates that best-in-class efficiency is achievable, yet the norm remains firmly anchored in the moderate range. Suppliers engage with this sector with a reasonable expectation of payment within 37 days, though they must factor in the risk that roughly one in six invoices may face delays beyond the agreed terms.