Latin America B2B eCommerce Market

Market Overview

The Latin America B2B eCommerce market size was valued at USD 365 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 2,505 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 23.9% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

Highlights

• The FMCG segment dominates the market by supply category.
•  The retail and distribution segment dominates the market by end-user.

Business-to-business e-commerce, or B2B E-commerce, is the buying and selling of products and services between companies over the Internet. It refers to exchanging products and services between companies through electronic means. Wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors, and other B2B sellers can save time and money by processing orders online. Companies offering both traditional storefronts and online marketplaces are included here.

Latin America is anticipated to experience significant growth in the global b2b e-commerce platform market over the forecast period, due to the rising number of internet users and social media users. According to Internet World Stats, there were approximately 417 million Internet subscribers in Latin America in 2018. Online business-to-business (B2B) transactions in Latin America have grown substantially as wholesalers and manufacturers increasingly adopt online platforms. Online platforms are utilized by corporations because they facilitate the swift and simple exchange of products from anywhere in the world.

Market Dynamics

Latin America B2B eCommerce Market Drivers

Changes in Consumer Attitudes and Worldwide E-Commerce Landscape

Business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce is growing as more and more consumers become accustomed to the convenience of shopping online. E-commerce platforms catering to businesses to businesses also allow for customization and dynamic product inventories. Business-to-business (B2B) companies provide customers with resources to help them make informed buying decisions. Providing options to B2B customers based on their tastes and past purchases significantly improves the B2B shopping experience and attracts more customers to the company. 

The United States had 246,809,221 internet subscribers in July 2016, per the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) data. B2B e-commerce has seen growth thanks to the complementary capabilities of the internet and devices. Smartphone B2B purchasing is more practical than the conventional ways.

Rapid Growth in B2B E-Commerce among SMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) thrive in developing countries, proving their importance to the economy. B2B e-commerce not only enables SMEs to compete on a global scale but also allows them to contact customers in outlying areas. An e-commerce network connects buyers and sellers worldwide in the business world. The online marketplace facilitates the beginning of new business relationships and strengthens established ones between sellers and buyers. As a result, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) around the globe are embracing and migrating to B2B platforms.

Adoption of B2B Business Model by B2C E-Commerce Giants

Amazon, Alibaba, e-Bay, and other consumer-focused online marketplaces have expanded into B2B e-commerce because of its benefits and possibilities. Since business customers typically buy in bulk, B2B purchases are more lucrative. Customers and sellers of business-to-business transactions tend to develop close bonds due to the greater frequency of transactions. B2C behemoths have started doing business with B2B organizations because they saw the possibility of these openings. These behemoths have the financial backing and reputation for building even larger client bases and operational frameworks. Trust from consumers' previous experiences making B2C transactions on these sites fuels the expansion of B2B marketplaces.

Latin America B2B eCommerce Market Restraints

Limited Market Presence

Compared to B2C e-commerce, the B2B sector is much more limited. Due to customers' propensity for impulse purchases and exceptional consuming patterns, business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce enjoys a large customer base. In contrast, business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce serves a relative niche market. Younger generations tend to prefer business-to-business online transactions. However, many corporate purchasers need to learn what they're missing out on by not using B2B platforms. Baby boomers and members of Generation X in emerging markets are stubbornly devoted to tried-and-true commercial purchasing practices because they consider these more reliable and trustworthy. Several regions' populations are acquainted with business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce sites because of their prevalence, but the B2B marketplace is still largely uncharted.

Latin America B2B eCommerce Market Opportunities

Increase in Digitalization across the B2B e-commerce

Integration of order fulfillment software has helped B2B E-commerce businesses improve their awareness of order fulfillment operations, including the status of order confirmations, on-time delivery performance, and other aspects of order management, as digital technologies have become more widely used.

Even when working with numerous partners, such as logistics providers, forwarders, and express companies, modern technology allows businesses and their customers to monitor order delivery from beginning to finish. To boost client satisfaction and loyalty, B2B e-commerce firms are increasingly adopting such technologies to automate the entire supply chain.

Regional Analysis

Latin America is a significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.9% during the forecast period. Countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Chile have one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, which has led to a substantial increase in the number of entrepreneurs and online consumers. As these nations are home to a significant number of SMBs, there is a tremendous opportunity for online marketplaces. B2B online marketplaces are anticipated to experience colossal growth as a result of the fact that small and medium-sized enterprises place a significant emphasis on cost-cutting policies within their overall business models.

Considered a price-sensitive market with high import taxes, Brazil is regarded as a country with high import taxes. Customs and duties regulations apply to direct sales from other nations, including the United States. Brazil is experiencing robust economic development supported by a variety of revenue sources. Americana's, Mercado Livre, and Submarino are prominent online marketplaces in Brazil that have effectively implemented B2B e-commerce and exploited the platform's opportunities.

Due to the country's rapid technological infrastructure development, B2B e-commerce in Chile is expanding at a rapid rate. Nationwide, businesses of all sizes are implementing B2B e-commerce. According to export.gov, the country's digital economy presently accounts for 3% of its GDP and is expected to reach 4.5% by 2020. Consequently, it is anticipated that the country will considerably contribute to the expansion of B2B e-commerce during the forecast period.

Segmental Analysis

The Latin America B2B eCommerce market is segmented based on the category of supply and end-user. 

Based on the supply category, the market is segmented into Office Supplies, FMCG, IT Products, Industrial and MRO, and Janitorial and Sanitation.

The FMCG segment dominated the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.5% during the forecast period.

Based on End-User, the market is segmented into agribusiness, automotive, construction, information technology, telecom and media, transportation and logistics, retail and distribution, and others.

The retail and distribution segment dominated the market and is expected to register a CAGR of 24.5% over the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• July 2022- Forerunner Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, Hubspot Ventures, Lyra Ventures, and Gramercy Ventures contributed to Balance's USD 56 million Series B Funding announcement.
• July 2022- Golf Genius's Golf Shop fully integrated with RepSpark's B2B wholesale commerce infrastructure. With this integration, golf store owners can speed up the ordering process, reduce mistakes, and better serve their customers.