March Winnipeg Commodity Exchange Futures And Options Volumes Traded At More

Overall, total futures volume for March 2003 was 35.0% lower than the 193,903 contracts recorded for the same month one year ago. Flaxseed and feed wheat futures during the month of March were the main contributing factors to the decline seen in overall volume levels. Total futures open interest levels as of March 31, 2003 were 68,933 contracts; 6.4% below the 73,613 contracts open on March 31, 2002.

Activity in WCE canola futures volume declined for the month of March, down 34.7% at 108,991 contracts, compared to the 166,889 contracts reached in March 2002. However, canola futures open interest levels were up 5.6% at 55,961 contracts compared to open interest levels on March 31, 2002.

Crop year-to-date total futures trade in 2002/03 was down 18.6% at 1,318,790 contracts compared to 1,619,860 contracts in the 2001/02 crop year. Within this total, crop year-to-date western barley futures rose 1.4% to 130,702 contracts.

WCE total options trade declined for the month of March, with canola the main contributing factor behind the overall decline. WCE western barley options volume rose 30.8% over year ago totals.

Total futures and options volume combined for the month of March declined from year ago levels, totalling 126,684 contracts, compared to 195,623 contracts in 2002.

Combined futures and options open interest levels as of March 31, 2003 were 72,932 contracts; 5.2% below year-ago levels. Within this total, canola options open interest levels were up 23.9% at 3,922 contracts as of March 31, 2003.