Al-Jouf Agricultural Q1 profit driven by industrial segment, demand seen to continue: CEO

Mazen Badawood, CEO of Al-Jouf Agricultural Developm

Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co. is expected to see continued demand in all of its operating segments during the second quarter of 2024, which will reflect positively on the company's performance during three-month period, said CEO Mazen Badawood.

In an interview with Argaam, the top executive indicated that the company's market share in olive oil exceeds 17% of the total market in the Kingdom.

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He added that the market share of potato fingers amounts to 13-15% of the total market in the Kingdom, highlighting that the commercial operation of the potato fingers factory was positive in Q1 2024, with an increase in sales and operation at the factory’s maximum capacity, which Al-Jouf seeks to maintain in the coming period.

The company’s Q1 results were promising, thanks to a rise in sales by more than 53% YoY and more than 40% QoQ, reaching more than SAR 160 million, which is a record level of quarterly sales QoQ, said Badawood.

The main reasons for this increase are the sales of the potato fingers product, as the factory began commercial operation in December 2023, which reflected positively on Q1 sales. The other reason is the record sales of olive oil due to the seasonality of the holy month of Ramadan and also the launch of the new identity of the Al-Jouf brand, which boosted sales, according to the top executive.

Badawood pointed out that the industrial segment contributed to the company's profit and was the best performer in Q1 2024 and in previous years in general, which prompted the company to move strategically from an agricultural to an agri-industrial company.

As for the company plans to boost production in the coming period, the CEO said that Al-Jouf Agricultural is still working on its industrial agricultural strategy and is studying several projects that serve this strategy, whether rolling out a new product in the market or launching projects that serve full integration in its agriculture and agricultural and industrial production.

He pointed out that the Saudi market enjoys resilience and robust growth, especially in the food segment, adding that Al-Jouf Agricultural is working to be an effective player in this segment and to contribute to providing agricultural products and manufacturing them locally.