Banished
Banished

Trade Routes & Merchant Strategies

Build profitable trade routes in Banished starting with a Trading Post. Maximize your profits and secure essential goods strategically.

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Trade Routes & Merchant Strategies

Mastering trade in Banished is crucial for economic stability and growth, especially as you expand your settlement. This section details optimal trade routes, valuable goods, and strategies to maximize your profits and secure essential resources.

Establishing Your First Trade Post

Before you can engage in meaningful trade, you need a Trading Post. This building is available early in the game and should be prioritized once your basic food and shelter needs are met. Its construction requires:

  • 100 Wood
  • 50 Stone
  • 20 Iron

Place your Trading Post strategically near a navigable river or coastline to allow merchant ships access. Assign at least two laborers to the Trading Post; they will manage inventory and interact with arriving merchants.

Understanding Merchant Types & Goods

Different merchants specialize in various goods. Knowing who sells what is key to efficient trading. Merchants arrive periodically, announced by a notification at the top of your screen. Always check their inventory!

General Goods Merchant

These merchants are your bread and butter for early-game resource acquisition. They often carry:

  • Seeds: Essential for diversifying your crops. Look for Corn Seeds, Wheat Seeds, and Potato Seeds if you don't have them.
  • Livestock: Cattle, Sheep, and Chickens provide a sustainable source of food, wool, and leather. Prioritize acquiring at least one pair of each when possible.
  • Tools: Iron Tools and Steel Tools are always in demand. Stock up if your blacksmiths can't keep up.
  • Building Materials: Occasionally, they will carry Stone or Iron, which can be useful in emergencies.
Resource Merchant

These specialized merchants focus on raw materials. They are less frequent but invaluable for specific needs.

  • Forestry Goods: They often carry large quantities of Logs and Firewood. Useful if your foresters are struggling to meet demand.
  • Mining Goods: Look for Iron Ore and Coal. Crucial for tool production and heating.
Luxury Goods Merchant

These merchants appear later in the game and deal in high-value items. They are your primary outlet for excess luxury goods you produce.

  • Spices: High value, but rarely sold.
  • Gems: Excellent for trading for large quantities of other goods.
  • Ale/Wine: If your settlement produces these, this merchant offers the best prices.

Optimal Trade Strategies

Early Game (Years 1-10)

Your primary goal is self-sufficiency. Trade for items you cannot produce or are in short supply.

  1. Export Firewood: This is your most reliable early-game export. Set a production limit on your Woodcutters to ensure a surplus for trade.
  2. Import Seeds & Livestock: Prioritize acquiring a diverse range of Seeds and at least one pair of Cattle, Sheep, and Chickens from the General Goods Merchant.
  3. Import Tools: If your population grows faster than your tool production, import Iron Tools to prevent a productivity collapse.
Mid Game (Years 11-30)

As your settlement grows, focus on specialized production for export.

  1. Manufactured Goods: Wool Coats (from Tailors), Iron Tools (from Blacksmiths), and Ale (from Breweries) fetch excellent prices. Ensure you have a consistent supply of raw materials (Wool, Iron, Grain/Fruit).
  2. Surplus Food: If your farms and fisheries are highly efficient, you can export excess Fish, Meat, or Vegetables. Be cautious not to sell too much, risking starvation during harsh winters.
  3. Strategic Imports: Consider importing Coal if your mines are depleted or if you need to fuel your forges more efficiently.
Late Game (Years 30+)

At this stage, your economy should be robust. Focus on maximizing profits and acquiring rare resources.

  1. Luxury Exports: If you have a steady supply of Herbs and a Herbalist, consider producing Potions for high-value export. Gems from mines are also excellent trade fodder.
  2. Resource Stockpiling: Use your wealth to stockpile large quantities of Iron, Stone, and Logs to prepare for large-scale construction projects or to weather resource shortages.
  3. Population Management: If you have a large workforce, consider exporting Labor (represented by goods produced by excess workers) to maintain a healthy trade balance.

Managing Your Trading Post Inventory

The Trading Post interface allows you to set desired stock levels for both import and export goods. This is critical for automation:

  • Set "Buy" Limits: For items you want to acquire (e.g., Seeds, Livestock), set a high "Buy" limit. Your traders will automatically purchase these when available.
  • Set "Sell" Limits: For items you want to export (e.g., Firewood, Wool Coats), set a "Sell" limit. Any surplus above this limit will be offered to merchants.
  • Keep a Buffer: Always maintain a small buffer of essential goods (food, tools, firewood) in your general storage, even if you plan to export them. This prevents critical shortages.

By diligently managing your trade routes and adapting your strategies to your settlement's needs, you can ensure a thriving and resilient economy in Banished.