While total futures and options trading volume for April 2000 rose 20% from April 1999, crop-year-to-date total volume topped 16% over the same period in the previous year. Canola, flaxseed, oats and western barley all showed significant volume increases over year-ago monthly volumes. When Exchange for Physicals (E.F.P.s) are included, April 2000 futures volume totals 239,597 contracts.
Crop-year-to-date canola futures volume as of the end of April was 10% higher than the same period in the 1998/99 crop year. Looking at calendar-year-to-date statistics, barley and flaxseed volumes have experienced the most significant increases, at 42.4% and 51% respectively. As well, options volume calendar-year-to-date was up 43% over the previous crop year.
Flaxseed futures monthly volume showed a 49% increase in April over the same month a year ago. Open interest on the last day of April 2000 was 40% higher than the 3,863 contracts open on April 30, 1999.
Trade activity in western barley futures surpassed contracts recorded during April 1999 by 38%. Open interest at month-end was 8,808 more than double the contracts recorded on the same date in 1999. The increase in barley trade is reflected in the crop-year-to-date volume, up 31% from the same period in 1998/99.
Overall, total open interest in WCE options contracts on April 30, 2000 was up 11,023 contracts or 130.9% compared to the same date last year.
