The correct answer to this open question is the following.
Unfortunately, you did not attach the reading, the name of the text, or any other further reference to help us know what you are talking about in specific.
However, trying to help you we can comment on the following general terms.
The events that established Portugal as a major trading center was its priority in navigation and exploration, which made the Portuguese find places where there were raw materials and natural resources that they exploited and were taken to Portugal to trade. Portugal at that time had a great geographic advantage, with ports to the Atlantic Sea and a direct connection with the Mediterranean.
What were some of the goods that the Portuguese traded?
Portugal traded raw materials and precious rocks like gold. They also traded sugar, ivory, cotton, pepper, and of course, slaves.
Were these different from those that the Italian merchants offered?
They were similar, but Portugal had more trade routes and better logistics to transport goods and better access to gold and ivory.
