The production stop at the Feriana white cement plant of Société Tuniso-Andalouse de Ciment Blanc (SOTACIB) on 26 December 2017 has led to a shortage of white cement in the Tunisian market.

The Tunisian Organisation for Consumer Information (OTIC) has warned against imports to fill the gap between demand and supply, stating imports were likely to be 2-3 times more expensive.

The company announced on 5 January 2018 the plant would be closed from 19 January 2018 for a period of six months. The company justifies the closure through the deterioration of the social climate and since 26 December, an illegal strike which has made normal operation at the plant difficult.