Abdullah Ababtain, CEO of First Milling Co.’s (First Mills)
Abdullah Ababtain, CEO of First Milling Co.’s (First Mills), said the company is building an integrated export platform for flour and feed as part of its long-term geographic diversification strategy, with plans to expand exports regionally and globally. 
In an interview with CNBC Arabia, Ababtain added that the company is conducting an extensive assessment of demand in overseas markets. It will announce its target markets and the expected contribution of exports when it is ready to proceed.
First Mills holds a 30% share of the Saudi flour market, Ababtain affirmed, adding that the company remains focused on maintaining its leading position.
On debt, Ababtain explained that the company continuously balances its expansion plans and business needs with shareholders’ interests and its debt position. He added that its cash flow position remains healthy and that it continues to meet all contractual obligations, including those related to raw materials.
Regarding cash dividends, Ababtain emphasized that First Mills seeks to balance shareholder interests with its growth objectives, prioritizing returns on existing investments, stronger cash generation and gradual debt reduction. The board makes dividend decisions based on financial performance and cash flows to support long-term financial sustainability, he pointed out.
Ababtain attributed the company’s growth in the first nine months of 2026 to four factors: expansion in the feed segment, its main growth driver this year; sustained strong demand for flour; higher production volumes; and product quality and operational efficiency. These factors helped boost revenue by 21%.
The feed segment accounts for around 38% of total revenue, while flour demand remains strong across industrial and commercial channels. A diversified product mix also helped lift the gross profit margin to 45.7% in Q3 2026, up 2.4 percentage points year on year, Ababtain noted.
According to Argaam data, First Mills, which produces and stores flour and feed, reported a 14% increase in net profit to SAR 230.8 million in the first nine months of 2026, compared with SAR 202.7 million in the same period of 2025.
Abdullah Ababtain, CEO of First Milling Co.’s (First Mills)
Abdullah Ababtain, CEO of First Milling Co.’s (First Mills), said the company is building an integrated export platform for flour and feed as part of its long-term geographic diversification strategy, with plans to expand exports regionally and globally.
In an interview with CNBC Arabia, Ababtain added that the company is conducting an extensive assessment of demand in overseas markets. It will announce its target markets and the expected contribution of exports when it is ready to proceed.
First Mills holds a 30% share of the Saudi flour market, Ababtain affirmed, adding that the company remains focused on maintaining its leading position.
On debt, Ababtain explained that the company continuously balances its expansion plans and business needs with shareholders’ interests and its debt position. He added that its cash flow position remains healthy and that it continues to meet all contractual obligations, including those related to raw materials.
Regarding cash dividends, Ababtain emphasized that First Mills seeks to balance shareholder interests with its growth objectives, prioritizing returns on existing investments, stronger cash generation and gradual debt reduction. The board makes dividend decisions based on financial performance and cash flows to support long-term financial sustainability, he pointed out.
Ababtain attributed the company’s growth in the first nine months of 2026 to four factors: expansion in the feed segment, its main growth driver this year; sustained strong demand for flour; higher production volumes; and product quality and operational efficiency. These factors helped boost revenue by 21%.
The feed segment accounts for around 38% of total revenue, while flour demand remains strong across industrial and commercial channels. A diversified product mix also helped lift the gross profit margin to 45.7% in Q3 2026, up 2.4 percentage points year on year, Ababtain noted.
According to Argaam data, First Mills, which produces and stores flour and feed, reported a 14% increase in net profit to SAR 230.8 million in the first nine months of 2026, compared with SAR 202.7 million in the same period of 2025.
