Saudi Arabian mills get approval to export flour

The General Food Security Authority’s (GFSA) board of directors has approved allowing licensed flour milling companies in Saudi Arabia to export flour to global markets, the Saudi Gazette reported. The companies will be allowed to export only a fixed percentage of their surplus production capacities so that needs of the local market won’t be compromised, the report said.

GFSA Governor Ahmed Al-Faris said the decision is based on the regulatory and supervisory role of GFSA toward licensed flour milling companies and in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 that supports national industries and opens opportunities for competition based on the high quality of their products, according to the Saudi Gazette.

GFSA, formerly known as the Saudi Grains Organizations (SAGO), is the governmental body responsible for food security in Saudi Arabia. It collaborates with organizations, authorities, and local and international entities specialized in scientific and productive fields related to grain production, storage, flour milling, and fodder production.

Between 2018 and 2021, the four flour mills owned by SAGO were sold to private entities as one of the 12 key elements of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia’s total daily milling capacity is 15,150 tonnes, while its per capita consumption of wheat flour is 91 kilograms per day.