I'm pretty sure I figured out how the resources and the tech that influences their production. When you first click on a planet, before acquiring it, it shows a high number, say 900/45. That is the Max output the clanet can produce. Which is why when you acquire it (depending on speciality) the numbers, usually only the RO, go way down. and now when you start researching Advanced Materials Collection you start opening up the Planet's production. When it says for non Trader you get a 3% bump of RO per level, that is actually 3% of the Max value, not 3% of what it is currently producing. So it is definitely beneficial to upgrade your AMC tech.