Western barley pit trade for the month rose 68.6%, to 9,909 contracts compared to 5,876 contracts in December 2001. Crop year-to-date western barley volume for 2002/03 was up 11.2% at 82,246 contracts compared to 73,975 contracts in the 2001/02 crop year. Meanwhile, open interest in western barley futures as of December 31, 2002 was 7,731 contracts, down 23.6% compared to the 10,114 contracts open on December 31, 2001.
Total futures volume for December 2002 increased 3.7% from a year ago, totalling 169,448 contracts, compared to 163,475 contracts in December 2001. With the Exchange for Physicals (EFPs) included, December 2002 futures trading volume totaled 181,880 contracts. Crop and calendar year-to-date volumes were down 12.8% and 24.6% respectively, compared to the same period one year earlier. Total futures open interest was down 21.9% from a year ago, totaling 62,687 contracts as of December 31, 2002.
Combined futures and options volume also witnessed an increase for the month of December at 172,430 contracts compared to 166,974 contracts in December 2001. Total futures and options open interest as of December 31, 2002 was 67,105 contracts, compared to the 85,303 contracts open on December 31, 2001.
