Pomor trade

The Pomor trade (Norwegian: Pomorhandel, russehandel; Russian: Поморская торговля) was carried out between the Pomors of Northwest Russia and the people along the coast of northern Norway, as far south as Bodø. The trade went on from 1740 until the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917.

The Pomor trade began as a barter trade between people in the area, mainly grain products from Russia and fish from northern Norway. With time it developed into a regular cash trade; in fact the ruble was used as currency in several places in northern Norway. The Pomor trade was of major importance both to the Russians and the Norwegians. It was carried out by Russian Pomors from the White Sea area and the Kola Peninsula who sailed to settlements and places of trade along the coast of northern Norway. The Pomors were skilled traders and sailors, and they also explores areas around the White Sea. In addition to their trade westward, they established a trade route eastward to northwestern Siberia.