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###Before the Ferengi encountered the Federation, they were already an empire whose primary interaction with other alien civilizations was the establishment and continuation of profitable trade. This culture of trade is embodied within their Rules of Acquisition, which are a series of cultural mores built around what the Ferengi consider policies of successful, if not less than honest, trade agreements.

Replicators were capable of producing something as fresh and tasty as non-replicated foodstuffs, inorganically materialized out of patterns used by the transporters. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us")

 

Most people found replicated foods and drinks to taste exactly the same as "real" food, although some people claimed to be able to tell the difference. Furthermore, Federation replicators could be programmed to produce foodstuffs of acceptable "nutritional value". (TNG: "The Price", "Sins of the Father", "The Wounded", "Relics"; DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight", "You Are Cordially Invited")

 

In addition to foodstuffs, replicators could be used for replicating machine parts, clothing or other objects. Although clothing can be replicated for general wear, replicators will not allow non-Starfleet crew members to replicate official Starfleet uniforms. Industrial replicators could even be used to replicate heavier machine parts. (TNG: "The Game"; DS9: "For the Cause"; VOY: "Caretaker", "Phage")

 

Replicators aboard Starfleet vessels would not produce fatal poisons. (VOY: "Death Wish") Furthermore, replicators had biofilters which automatically screened out all contaminants. (DS9: "Babel")

###Why wouldn't a Ferengi just use a replicator?

###Trade in materials not accepted or able to be replicated by the Federation

Before the Ferengi encountered the Federation, they were already an empire whose primary interaction with other alien civilizations was the establishment and continuation of profitable trade. This culture of trade is embodied within their Rules of Acquisition, which are a series of cultural mores built around what the Ferengi consider policies of successful, if not less than honest, trade agreements.

Replicators were capable of producing something as fresh and tasty as non-replicated foodstuffs, inorganically materialized out of patterns used by the transporters. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us")

Most people found replicated foods and drinks to taste exactly the same as "real" food, although some people claimed to be able to tell the difference. Furthermore, Federation replicators could be programmed to produce foodstuffs of acceptable "nutritional value". (TNG: "The Price", "Sins of the Father", "The Wounded", "Relics"; DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight", "You Are Cordially Invited")

In addition to foodstuffs, replicators could be used for replicating machine parts, clothing or other objects. Although clothing can be replicated for general wear, replicators will not allow non-Starfleet crew members to replicate official Starfleet uniforms. Industrial replicators could even be used to replicate heavier machine parts. (TNG: "The Game"; DS9: "For the Cause"; VOY: "Caretaker", "Phage")

Replicators aboard Starfleet vessels would not produce fatal poisons. (VOY: "Death Wish") Furthermore, replicators had biofilters which automatically screened out all contaminants. (DS9: "Babel")

Why wouldn't a Ferengi just use a replicator?

Trade in materials not accepted or able to be replicated by the Federation

###Before the Ferengi encountered the Federation, they were already an empire whose primary interaction with other alien civilizations was the establishment and continuation of profitable trade. This culture of trade is embodied within their Rules of Acquisition, which are a series of cultural mores built around what the Ferengi consider policies of successful, if not less than honest, trade agreements.

Their interactions with the Federation would be more challenging because many of the more advanced races of the Federation would have access to replicators, a technology capable of creating material objects using replicator templates and an unnamed source matter.

• The process of replication still requires energy which must come from somewhere, even in the energy-rich Federation. While the Federation would appear to have a nearly limitless supply of energy given their matter-annihilation driven technology, in truth, such advanced energy technology is not available on every Federation world.

• Worlds which utilize fusion energy (impulse power) may restrict the amount of energy spent for replication even though impulse power can be used for replication and even transporters if regulated properly.

• It is believed the development of the highly sophisticated level of the replicator in the 24th century which would account for the post-scarcity perspective of the Federation. At this point the replicator technology was ubiquitous to most ships, most advanced facilities and could even be made portable to be sent on repair missions for making parts and other equipment.

• Difficult to replicate including heavy metals with unusual or unstable atomic or molecular models (such as Latinum), synthetic compounds, complex molecular structures, delicate organic compounds or even poisons might still be traded by the Ferengi to races within the Federation.

###Before the Ferengi encountered the Federation, they were already an empire whose primary interaction with other alien civilizations was the establishment and continuation of profitable trade. This culture of trade is embodied within their Rules of Acquisition, which are a series of cultural mores built around what the Ferengi consider policies of successful, if not less than honest, trade agreements.

Their interactions with the Federation would be more challenging because many of the more advanced races of the Federation would have access to replicators, a technology capable of creating material objects using replicator templates and an unnamed source matter.

• The process of replication still requires energy which must come from somewhere, even in the energy-rich Federation. While the Federation would appear to have a nearly limitless supply of energy given their matter-annihilation driven technology, in truth, such advanced energy technology is not available on every Federation world.

• Worlds which utilize fusion energy (impulse power) may restrict the amount of energy spent for replication even though impulse power can be used for replication and even transporters if regulated properly.

• It is believed the development of the highly sophisticated level of the replicator in the 24th century which would account for the post-scarcity perspective of the Federation. At this point the replicator technology was ubiquitous to most ships, most advanced facilities and could even be made portable to be sent on repair missions for making parts and other equipment.

• Difficult to replicate including heavy metals with unusual or unstable atomic or molecular models (such as Latinum), synthetic compounds, complex molecular structures, delicate organic compounds or even poisons might still be traded by the Ferengi to races within the Federation.

• Difficult to replicate including heavy metals with unusual or unstable atomic or molecular models (such as Latinum), synthetic compounds, complex molecular structures, delicate organic compounds or even poisons might still be traded by the Ferengi to races within the Federation.

• Such trade may be technically illegal within Federation boundaries but since it may originate outside the Federation it is harder to regulate or control.

• Many Federation worlds may interact with species outside the Federation who may possess technologies or capabilities beyond current Federation science, art or technology. The Ferengi likely facilitate this trade to their economic benefit.

• Difficult to replicate including heavy metals with unusual or unstable atomic or molecular models (such as Latinum), synthetic compounds, complex molecular structures, delicate organic compounds or even poisons might still be traded by the Ferengi to races within the Federation.

Latinum is a rare silver-colored liquid that was used as currency by the Ferengi Alliance and many other worlds. It could not be replicated. For ease of transaction, liquid latinum was usually suspended within "worthless" gold as a binding medium to produce gold-pressed latinum. (DS9: "Who Mourns for Morn?")

• Such trade may be technically illegal within Federation boundaries but since it may originate outside the Federation it is harder to regulate or control.

• Many Federation worlds may interact with species outside the Federation who may possess technologies or capabilities beyond current Federation science, art or technology. The Ferengi likely facilitate this trade to their economic benefit.