Sale process for Saudi flour mills to be announced in Q2

The sale process for Saudi Arabia’s flour milling sector will be announced during the second quarter of 2018, HSBC Saudi Arabia, which is advising on the process, said on Wednesday.

The sale is one of the first privatizations the kingdom plans as part of a wide-reaching overhaul of its economy and has drawn interest from some of the world’s largest agribusiness firms, including Archer Daniels Midland Company and Bunge Limited.

The second quarter disclosure will include the timetable for qualifying potential investors and launching the sale process after obtaining regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities, HSBC Saudi Arabia said in a statement.

An industry source said the statement showed the process was “moving forward” and that the “big names are still interested”.   

Opportunities for expansion 

The privatization, which involves the potential sale of four flour milling companies by the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO), presents opportunities for expansion into value-added products within Saudi Arabia, the statement said.

SAGO is one of the world’s largest wheat and barley buyers. The kingdom has become a major importer of wheat since abandoning plans in 2008 to become self-sufficient as farming in the desert was draining scarce water supplies.

HSBC said it had reviewed the business and operating models of the milling companies to incorporate feedback received through the public consultation process and investors’ workshop in June 2017.

It also said it had prepared regulations on the privatization based on the draft sector law issued by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, while SAGO had reviewed the business and operating models of the milling companies to ensure they complied with the law.

The draft regulations will be published for public consultation once approved by the authorities, HSBC added.