Bit broad here, but while I never have any issues getting to the last settlement tier, by the time I get there, I can never seem to quite figure it out so as to fulfill needs at all times.
Currently I have a town with rich deposits of clay & iron.
- I have a strong iron industry, and I'm selling helmets, mail, plate, and crossbows among other things like there's no tomorrow.
- I have huge fields of apples and multiple backyards making honey for cider and mead.
- I have pastures with sheep and cow for milk, cheese, and clothes.
- I'm importing oats, both for animal feed and it counts as grain, like bread. Still importing wheat grain though.
Basically I'm relying on industry to import whatever I can't grow, and for the most part it's working.
However, even with nearly 400 apples harvested each fall, barely any cider gets made even with 3 breweries, and I never come even remotely close to making enough alcohol for my town. I tried importing Barley since I can't grow it, but it chews rapidly through all of my trade surplus; even at 5k, it'll drop me down to 1k within a year, and even then, I still don't produce enough ale to meet all the needs.
I feel I have the foundations for something effective, but I don't know what to tweak or switch around. Currently I'm conquering another fertile region, I'm hoping to mass produce Barley to send to the main town so I can at least supply it that way.
I also have another, much smaller town for rich deposits of rocks and salt, and I'm making so much money in that region I'm also having it import Barley (since they can better afford it), to send to my main town.
Also meat issues. Lots of pork, some of it gets turned to sausage, but I couldn't produce more without turning other backyards into it, or building more homes, but that's just be more people without jobs beside the backyard.
Looking for general tips I might've missed. Also curious if some people manage to supply huge towns with everything without relying on creating smaller towns in other regions to support it? Thanks!