Overall, total futures volume for April was 6.5% lower than the 192,243 contracts recorded for the same period one year earlier. While monthly volume in western barley showed an increase over year-ago levels, it was more than offset by a decline in flaxseed and feed wheat futures. Total futures open interest levels as of April 30, 2003 were 66,458 contracts, 13.1% below the 76,497 contracts open on April 30, 2002.
Activity in WCE canola futures volume declined slightly during the month of April, down 4.0% at 153,528 contracts, compared to the 159,981 contracts traded in April 2002. Canola futures open interest levels were down 6.9% at 53,240 contracts compared to open interest levels on April 30, 2002.
Total combined futures and options volume for the month of April declined slightly from year ago levels, totalling 180,883 contracts, compared to 198,139 contracts in April 2002. Combined futures and options open interest levels as of April 30, 2003 were 68,041 contracts, 15.9% below year-ago levels.
Crop year-to-date futures trade in 2002/03 was down 17.3% at 1,498,535 contracts compared to 1,812,103 contracts in the 2001/02 crop year. Crop year-to-date futures and options trade combined in 2002/03 was 1,516,051 contracts compared to the 1,873,604 contracts traded during the same period in the 2001/02 crop year.
* Please note that volume numbers now include pit trades, Exchange for Physicals (EFPs), Exchange for Risk (EFRs), futures deliveries and options exercises.
