First Mills boasts 30% market share in flour production, exports to regional markets: CEO

Abdullah Ababtain CEO of First Milling Co.

First Milling Co. (First Mills) dominates a 30% market share in the flour market in Saudi Arabia, making it the largest producer in this sector according to the latest data issued by the Saudi Food Security Authority, CEO Abdullah Ababtain told Argaam in an interview.

Ababtain added that the company has started exporting to regional markets, including Iraq, Qatar and the UAE, emphasizing that covering the local market will remain the company's top priority despite its aspirations to expand globally.

The top executive also indicated that the 2% revenue growth during the first quarter of 2025 was driven by continued strong demand for the company's flour, feed and wheat derivatives products, as well as improving operational efficiency, which exceeded 94%, along with expanding the customer base.

Flour sales represent 60% of total revenues, followed by feed sales at nearly 30%, which helps boosting financial performance stability by diversifying income sources and expanding the customer base, he added.

The CEO further stated that First Mills attaches importance to the bran product as it enters the feed industry, where it is recycled within the production lines or sold raw according to market requirements and seasons.

"The company focuses on research and development to produce specialized types of flour that meet the changing tastes of consumers, which will enhance its competitiveness locally and globally moving forward," said Ababtain.

He pointed out that the construction of the Qassim mill (New Mill C) is progressing with a production capacity of 600 tons per day, noting that the mill's actual start of operation is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, as part of the company's plans to strengthen its presence in promising high-growth markets, especially in the Central Province and Riyadh city.

He also stressed that the privatization of the milling sector was a successful experience, which was completed smoothly and without affecting the stability of the market or the quality of flour products in the Kingdom.

According to Argaam's data, First Mills' profits rose to SAR 79.7 million by the end of Q1 2025, up 2%, compared to SAR 77.7 million during the same period in 2024.