Star systems have different Economy types. There are Trade routes that you can use to buy items in one system at low prices and sell those items at high prices in the next system.

There are seven types of economy and every system has one.

The type of economy that a system has will not affect its economic status nor its Sell/Buy stats.

Each system also has its own icon depending on its economy type.

Trade route A: Scientific -> Trading -> Advanced Materials -> Scientific

Trade route B: Mining -> Manufacturing -> Technology -> Power Generation -> Mining