Tunisia: petcoke shortage risks near-doubling cement price

Tunisia’s Industry Ministry is looking into to alternatives to alleviate the petcoke shortage in the country. Importing petcoke is proving to be difficult as El Fouledh port, temporarily tasked with importing the fuel, is not able to receive the ships and volumes required for the cement industry. At present, works at the port of Ciment de Bizerte prevent petcoke imports at that location.

The petcoke shortage risks the closure of several cement plants in Tunisia unless they can successfully switch to natural gas. However, it is expected this would lead to a rise in cement prices from TND7.50 (US$3.67)/bag to TND13/bag.