The Swedish Pomor Trade: Ice, Fish, and Arctic Commerce

In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the forgotten world of the Pomor trade, the centuries-old exchange between northern Sweden and the Russian White Sea coast. Discover how Swedish farmers in Norrland sailed east each summer to barter butter, tar, and iron for Russian flour, salt, and hemp — a commerce that defied mercantilist laws and royal decrees. Meet the Pomors, the Russian traders who mastered the Arctic seas, and learn how their wooden boats, called lodjor, navigated the treacherous Gulf of Bothnia. Explore the practicalities of this trade: the skrå rules that governed it, the role of towns like Luleå and Torneå, and the curious case of the 'free trade' zones that existed beyond the reach of the crown. Lucas reveals how this trade shaped local economies, influenced Swedish diet, and even affected language, leaving traces like the word 'pomor' in northern dialects. But the trade had its dangers — shipwrecks, storms, and the constant threat of frostbite. And as the Swedish state tightened its grip, the Pomor trade faded, replaced by more centralised commerce. Tune in for a tale of resilience, adaptation, and the bonds that tied two empires across icy waters.

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