Ba Tri straw market is located near Ba Lai dam culvert (in Tan Xuan commune, Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province). According to straw traders, it comes from the cattle farming needs of Ba Tri people, but the local straw supply is not enough, they buy from all over the Western provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Tien Giang, ... to transport here to sell. Usually, each boat can carry about a thousand rolls of straw, the price ranges from 20,000 - 30,000 VND/roll.
Mr. Lat (from Giong Trom district, Ben Tre province) - a straw trader - said that straw buyers in this market are all long-time friends, so many buyers trust the seller without having to come and choose. The seller also because of their reputation and keeping the link, will report the correct price. Although the market is bustling, there are few scenes of bustling, bargaining, or even giving.
More than ten years ago, the cattle breeding profession in Ba Tri district gradually took shape and developed. Because the source of straw in the area was not enough, I went to buy straw and resell it for profit. Seeing that business was profitable, many people followed suit. Since then, Ba Tri straw market has gradually appeared and existed until today, said Mr. Lat.
According to data from the People's Committee of Ben Tre province, as of December 27, 2024, the total herd of cows in Ben Tre province is about more than 220,000 cows.
Mr. Nguyen Phuong Binh (Tan Xuan commune, Ba Tri district) said that Ba Tri straw market is a bridge between livestock feed suppliers and livestock farmers, ensuring a stable supply and sustainable development of the cow farming model.
According to Mr. Binh, Ba Tri straw market is not only an important center for providing cattle feed but also a trading point, contributing to the development of the rural economy. Investing in infrastructure and reasonable planning will help Ba Tri straw market develop more sustainably in the future, creating a premise for developing the cattle breeding profession of the people here.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tuong (My Thanh commune, Ba Tri district) said that he is raising 8 cows. Today, traders sell each roll of straw to him for 23,000 VND. Ba Tri straw market has become a source of feed for cattle farming. This will help farmers maintain and develop the local cattle breeding industry. Hopefully, the local government will pay attention to supporting Ba Tri straw market to affirm its role as a center for providing feed for cattle farming," said Mr. Tuong.
