Pit trade volume in the western barley futures contract for November 2000 reached 37,385 contracts, up 41.4% from 26,445 contracts traded in the same month one year earlier. Crop and calendar year-to-date volumes were up 8.9% and 26.2%, respectively compared to year-ago levels. Open interest levels in western barley also saw higher levels, up 25.2% from a year ago as of November 30, 2000 at 19,147 contracts.
Pit trade in canola declined slightly from a year ago, totalling 136,232 contracts, compared to 157,428 in 1999. Open interest levels in canola declined in the month of November to 61,690 contracts, compared to 69,559 contracts on November 30, 1999. However, calendar year-to-date canola volume was up 8.7% to 1,636,233 contracts compared to the same period of 1999.
Flaxseed volume levels increased 41.2% in the month of November to 10,889 contracts compared to 7,710 in November 1999. However, flaxseed open interest levels ended the month 0.2% behind year-ago levels at 5,070 contracts.
Trade in options for November was down from 1999 levels with decreases in canola, flaxseed and western barley contributing to the decline of 24.0% in options volume. Crop year-to-date trade volume in options was 19,907 contracts, 4.3% ahead of the pace set one year earlier. Total open interest in options, as of November 30, 2000, was down 52.1% compared to year-ago totals.
Calendar year-to-date total volume in futures and options combined was up 13.5% compared to the 1999 calendar year-to-date total through November. Total crop-year volume in futures and options was up 5.7% compared to year-ago levels.
Monthly volumes in feed wheat, western barley and flaxseed all showed significant increases over year-ago levels. However, they were partially offset by decreases in field peas, oats and canola trade. With the Exchange For Physicals (EFP’s) and deliveries included, November 2000 futures trading volume totalled 233,981contracts, up 1.9% from one year ago.
