Trading Routes & Goods in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Trading is one of the most reliable ways to build a massive fortune in Bannerlord without shedding a drop of blood. Whether you want to fund a massive army or buy your first workshop, mastering the art of the deal is essential.

Basics of Trade

The core of trading is simple: Buy Low, Sell High. However, the game gives you tools to identify these opportunities.

Understanding the UI

When you visit a town's market, pay attention to the color of the prices:

• Green Price: This is cheap! Buy it here.

• Red Price: This is expensive! Sell it here.

• Yellow/White: Average market price.

The Trade Penalty is a mechanic that reduces your selling price and increases your buying price based on your Trade skill. As you level up Trade Skill Guide, this penalty decreases, allowing for tighter margins.

Rumors

Hovering over an item will often show "Trade Rumors". For example, it might say "Sell at Sanala for 80". These rumors are gathered by visiting towns or from caravans you meet. Use them to plan your route!

Best Goods to Trade

Not all goods are created equal. Some offer massive profit margins per unit, while others are bulk goods.

1. Aserai & Desert Horses: Buy in Askar or other Aserai towns. Sell in Vlandia or the Empire. The margins can be huge (buying for 600, selling for 1500+).

2. Fur: Buy in the frozen north (Sturgia). Sell in the southern deserts.

3. Hardwood: Essential for Smithing for Profit. Buy in Battania (Marunath is famous for this) and sell in smithing hubs like the Empire towns.

4. Grain & Fish: Low margin per unit, but high volume. Great for feeding starving towns after a siege.

Famous Trade Routes

Here are some reliable loops to get you started:

The Aserai Loop (High Profit)

The Aserai lands are isolated by a desert barrier, creating distinct price differences.

1. Start in Askar. Buy Desert Horses, Aserai Horses, and Dates.

2. Travel north to Sanala (buy Grain if cheap).

3. Cross into the Western Empire or Vlandia (Ortysia, Jaculan).

4. Sell the horses for massive profit.

5. Buy Olives or Wine in Vlandia/Empire and return south.

The Northern Run (Fur Trade)

1. Travel to Sturgia (e.g., Sibir, Varnovapol).

2. Buy Furs, Hides, and Linen.

3. Travel south to the Empire or Aserai lands.

4. Sell for a premium in warmer climates where these goods are scarce.

The "War Profiteer"

This isn't a fixed route, but a strategy.

1. Check the Map of Calradia & Regions for active war zones.

2. Identify towns that have been besieged recently. Their prosperity is low, and food is scarce.

3. Load up on Grain and Fish in peaceful lands.

4. Rush to the starving town and sell food at 200-300% markup.

Inventory Management & Capacity

You can't trade if you can't carry the goods.

• Pack Animals: Mules and Sumpter Horses increase your carry capacity.

• Herd Penalty: If you have too many animals and not enough men to handle them, your party speed will plummet. Check our Party Speed Optimization guide to balance this.

• Overburdened: Never go above your weight limit; it makes you a sitting duck for bandits.

Trade Perks

Investing in the Trade skill tree is crucial.

• Appraiser / Whole Seller: Both are great starting perks to see profits clearly.

• Caravan Master: If you plan to run Caravans.

• Artisan Community: Great for passive renown.

Summary

Trading is the backbone of the Economy & Trade. Whether you are doing it yourself or setting up Workshops and Caravans, understanding the flow of goods from producer to consumer is key to dominating Calradia financially.