Salt Farmers “Cry Foul” as Traffic Congestion Halts Salt Sales

Salt farmers in Ap Thanh Thoi, Bao Thuan Commune, Ba Tri District, Ben Tre Province are facing challenges due to unsold salt reserves from the past five months, with traders taking advantage of the situation to push prices down. In addition to market factors, the blockage in the waterway transportation system has made it difficult for salt farmers to sell their produce.

For salt producers in this coastal area, waterways are the primary means for traders to reach the salt fields and purchase salt, as road access is limited. However, the canal along the dike in Bao Thuan Commune has not been dredged for a long time, leading to sedimentation. Additionally, some households in Ap Thanh Thoi have engaged in blood cockle farming in the canal, staking poles, and spreading nets that further narrow the canal and make it more difficult for traders’ boats to pass through.

Mr. Cao Van Bang, a salt farmer in Bao Thuan Commune, shared his concerns: “With the waterways blocked, salt farmers are unable to sell their produce. For the past two years, it has been challenging for us to sell salt as boats cannot reach our fields. Transporting salt by road incurs additional costs, and even if we wanted to, the roads are not suitable for vehicles. We urge the authorities to clear all waterways to facilitate trade and ensure our livelihood.”

Waterways are the only means for salt farmers in Bao Thuan to sell their produce, and the current blockage has made it even more difficult to find a market for their salt. Traders who manage to reach the fields offer low prices, forcing salt farmers to sell their produce for VND 5,000 less per giạ. For salt fields in remote areas, it is even harder to find buyers.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tum, Head of the Fatherland Front Committee of Ap Thanh Thoi, Bao Thuan Commune, stated that local voters have been raising this issue for the past two years, but the local authorities have not found a definitive solution.

“Salt consumption in this area relies solely on waterways, as road transport is impractical. The cockle farming activities of some households have impacted over 100 salt-producing households. We demand that the canal be restored to its previous state as a public waterway to prevent further economic losses for the salt farmers,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Tum.

In a conversation with VOV reporters, Mr. Le Van Vu Thanh, Chairman of Bao Thuan Commune People’s Committee, acknowledged the issue of three households engaging in blood cockle farming, which has disrupted the flow of the canal along the dike. The local authorities have requested these households to remove the nets and relocate their cockle farms to restore the canal’s flow. Additionally, they have proposed to the provincial irrigation department to include the canal in their dredging plans to facilitate salt transportation.

“We have asked the cockle farming households to remove their nets and relocate their farms. We have also proposed to the higher authorities to include the canal in their dredging plans to ensure smooth passage for boats transporting salt,” said Mr. Le Van Vu Thanh.

Salt production is a traditional occupation and the primary source of income for a large portion of the coastal population in Ba Tri District. At this point, Bao Thuan Commune alone has over 10,000 tons of unsold salt. The issues with the transportation system in Bao Thuan Commune need urgent attention and resolution from the local authorities and relevant departments to support the salt farmers in their livelihood.