The traders could be quite relevant, but when their pricing is such that one has to clear the map to buy a coffee... That doesn't work. Also, the placement of NPC traders is just weird. Why would one sit out in the wilds when there is a village or two available?
This. I don't mind paying 120 essence for something like seeds (I'd be happy to see traders sell more seeds btw).
Basic resources like stone, however, are prohibitively expensive right now.