Commodities
The galaxy's human populated space bustles with interstellar commerce. Many stations have or need certain Commodities, and have fluctuating buy and sell rates which allow commanders to make money on the market. These items are divided into commodity types.
Commodities can be bought and sold at any Stations that has a "Commodities Market" - accessible through the Starport Services menu. To buy and sell illegal or stolen commodities the player must find a station that has a Black Market. The availability of certain commodities can vary greatly from station to station. Generally stations will produce and consume certain commodities based upon their Market Economy type. Prices of commodities are dynamic and will fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including as a direct result of player interaction. Trade routes and strategies can change on a day to day basis - especially in areas with a high amount of player activity.
Ambitious traders can make large amounts of credits by transporting commodities which they've bought at a low price and selling at a higher price. There are many Third Party Tools that can aid in finding trade routes throughout populated space.
Carrying commodities requires a Cargo Rack. Commodities are transported in Cargo Canisters.
Human and NPC activities affect the evolution of the galaxy. This is handled by the background simulation.
Various Commodities Lists
- Supply and Demand table of which station economies buy and sell which commodities.
- An automatically populating list of commodities documented on this wiki can be found on the Category:Commodities page.
- List of Rare Commodities - There are various unique rare commodities from various star systems, which increase in value the further you travel from the system of origin. (Automatically populating list: Category:Rare Commodities)
Chemicals
Chemicals are the various components created for various uses in stations and planets.
Consumer Items
Consumer Items are those materials and items specifically created for consumption, i.e. entertainment and ease-of-life.
Foods
Foods are items grown or farmed for consumption.
Industrial Materials
Industrial Materials are those materials created for industrial production, and typically support ship construction.
Legal Drugs
Drugs traded on the marketplace are legal chemicals which alter the mind and body.
Machinery
Machinery supports the industrial systems of the various stations and planets.
Medicines
Medicines promote the well-being of the populace and increase general performance.
Metals
Metals are of prime importance in space travel and combat.
Minerals
Minerals are found naturally and can be refined to create metal that is used throughout the world of Elite: Dangerous.
Salvage
Salvage generally comes from (the destruction or pirating of) other ships and thus is often times marked stolen and illegal in most systems.
Slavery
Technology
Technology drives the settling of new worlds and the habitation of old systems.
Textiles
Textiles allow people to not be naked.
Waste
Waste is the material generated through the consumption of materials.
Weapons
Weapons are utilized in various and varied types of ways.