Before you can field hundreds of heavy cataphracts or support elite garrison towns, you need a massive stream of gold (denars). Fighting as a mercenary is active income, but mastering the trade loops of Calradia provides the massive coin capital needed to jumpstart your own kingdom. This guide details the most stable trade routes and commodity loops in Bannerlord.
High-Yield Trade Loops
1. The Battanian Hardwood & Ore Loop
Route: Buy in Seonon, Marunath, Car Banseth → Sell in Lageta, Ortysia, Sargot.
The dense woodlands of Battania produce vast amounts of cheap hardwood and iron ore in their villages. Purchase hardwood under 15 denars and iron ore under 30 denars. Travel south to Ortysia or west to Sargot where heavy steel manufacturing is located, and sell ore for 60+ denars and hardwood for 30+ denars.
2. The Southern desert Luxury Loop
Route: Buy in Aserai Desert towns (Askar, Sanala, Hubyar) → Sell in Southern Empire (Danustica, Vostrum).
The Aserai sultanate produces cheap grains, dates, horses, and salt. Purchase dates under 25 denars and desert horses under 150 denars. Ride north-east to the wealthy Imperial towns of Danustica and Vostrum, where luxury demand is high, and double your profits.
Commodity Pricing Reference Sheet
To train your Trade skill rapidly, buy goods when they are labeled in green text (low market price) and sell them when they represent a profit. Memorize this optimal buying threshold:
| Commodity Type | Target Buy Price | Target Sell Price | Best Source Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | Under 15 Denars | 30+ Denars | Battanian Woodlands |
| Iron Ore | Under 30 Denars | 65+ Denars | Battanian / Sturgian Mountains |
| Desert Horse | Under 150 Denars | 280+ Denars | Aserai Desert Villages |
| Silver Ore | Under 80 Denars | 160+ Denars | Sturgian or Aserai Mines |
| Salt | Under 30 Denars | 60+ Denars | Aserai coastlines |
Managing Caravans & Companions
Caravans provide passive trade income but require a companion to lead them. When choosing a companion, look for the following suffixes in the encyclopedia (press 'N'):
- "the Spicevendor": The absolute best caravan leader, starting with high Trade and Stewardship.
- "the Swift": High Trade, Stewardship, and Roguery, making their caravans harder for bandits to catch.
Always upgrade your caravans to Elite Caravans (22,500 denars). While more expensive, they recruit higher-tier guards, protecting your trade investments from being plundered by wandering desert raiders and hostile lords during active wars.