Introduction

Passive trade in Anno 1800 is an often misunderstood system, with many players wondering why their buy orders at trading posts aren’t being fulfilled. This guide explains how the system works, how neutral traders interact with the global stock, and how to optimize your trade strategies.

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How Neutral Traders Sell Goods to You

There are two main factors that determine whether neutral traders, such as Archibald Blake, Madame Kahina, Isabel Sarmento, and Old Nate, will sell goods to you:

1. Their own stock: Each trader has a selection of goods they naturally stock and sell.
2. The virtual trade pool: Traders can only sell goods that have been sold to them by you or other AI-controlled players.

This means that if you attempt to buy items like fish, wood, schnapps, or work clothes, but no one has sold these to neutral traders, they won’t have any stock to sell you.

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How to Get Neutral Traders to Sell You More Goods

1. Sell Items First: If you want to buy a resource from neutral traders, you need to sell it to them first.
2. Wait for Their Ships to Circulate: Once a neutral trader has acquired your goods, they will sell them back to you when their ships return.
3. Check AI Stock Levels: If other AI factions are selling goods, neutral traders may buy from them and offer these resources to you.
4. Build Trade Agreements with AI: Establishing trade rights with AI factions allows you to monitor what they sell at their harbors, increasing the global stock for neutral traders.

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Step-by-Step Example

1. Sell 50 Work Clothes to Archibald Blake.
2. Wait for Archibald’s ships to return.
3. When he arrives back at your harbor, he will sell you 50 Work Clothes.
4. Once he runs out, he won’t sell more unless you or another AI sells additional stock to him.

This mechanic works with all neutral traders and applies to all tradeable goods in the game.

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Using AI Factions to Expand Trade Opportunities

If you have AI-controlled players in your game:

• They will sell excess goods at their harbors.
• Neutral traders will purchase these goods and resell them across the map.
• You can buy those goods from neutral traders even if you don’t have a trade agreement with AI.

Important: If you play without AI, your passive trade options will be severely limited.

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The Role of the Trade Balance Option

The balance option in your trading post helps manage stock levels efficiently:

• Example: Set a balance of 50 fish.
• If you exceed 50 fish, excess stock is automatically sold.
• If stock drops below 50, the game buys from neutral traders to maintain your set balance.

While buying back goods will be at a slightly higher price, this method ensures a stable supply of essential resources.

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Final Thoughts

• Passive trade is a two-way system—you must sell goods before traders can sell them back.
• AI players play a crucial role in diversifying trade options.
• Use trade agreements to track available goods in AI markets.
• The balance option can help automate trade and maintain key resources.

By understanding these mechanics, you can strategically manage resources, optimize trade routes, and ensure a stable economy in Anno 1800. Happy trading!