Monthly volume in canola, feed wheat and western barley all showed significant increases over year-ago levels but were partially offset by decreases in field peas, flaxseed and oats trade. With the Exchange For Physicals (EFP's) included, October 2000 futures trading volume totalled 313,184 contracts.
Calendar year-to-date total volume in futures and options was up 15.1% compared to the 1999 calendar year-to-date total through October. Total futures open interest levels were up 23.4% from a year ago, as of October 31, 2000, totalling 99,824 contracts. Activity in feed wheat futures pit trade was substantially higher for October 2000, up 116.7% to 21,053 contracts compared to October 1999. Crop year-to-date volume increased 88.2% (54,372 contracts), while open interest in feed wheat futures, as of October 31, 2000, stood at 10,875 contracts, up 20.2% compared to October 31, 1999.
Flaxseed volume levels declined 1.3% in the month of October to 11,915 contracts compared to 12,078 in October 1999. However, open interest levels ended the month 31.8% ahead of year-ago levels at 4,468 contracts.
Pit trade volume in western barley was substantially higher for October 2000, up 40.7% to 23,447 contracts compared to October 1999. However, crop year-to-date volume was 5.0% less than one year ago (58,533 contracts). Open interest levels in western barley futures, as of October 31, 2000, stood at 15,476 contracts, virtually unchanged from one year ago.
Trade in options for October was up from 1999 levels with increases in both canola and flaxseed supporting the increase of 33.9% in options volume. Crop year-to-date trade volume in options was 16,241 contracts, 13.9% ahead of the pace set one year earlier. However, total open interest in options, as of October 31, 2000, was down 49.7% compared to year-ago totals. Total pit trade volume in options and futures rose 18.7% from a year ago to a monthly record of 271,932 contracts.
