Total Winnipeg Commodity Exchange Futures Volume 14% Higher Than Year-Ago Levels

Total futures volume for September 2000 was 13.7% (203,053 contracts) higher than the 178,664 contracts recorded for the same period a year ago. Monthly volume in canola, feed wheat, and flaxseed showed substantial increases over year-ago levels and was partially offset by a decline in western barley trade and a lack of trade in field peas. With the Exchange for Physicals (EFPs) included, September 2000 futures trading volume totaled 224,101 contracts. Calendar year-to-date total volume in futures was up 14.4% compared to the 1999 September calendar year-to-date total.

Activity in canola futures volume surpassed 1999 trading levels (130,505 contracts) for the month of September by 12.6%, with pit trade volume of 146,890 contracts. However, open interest levels in canola futures declined slightly from year-ago levels, by 1.4%, to 64,684 contracts as of September 30, 2000.

Pit trade volume in feed wheat was substantially higher for September 2000, up 86.3% to 23,236 contracts compared to 12,471 in September 1999, with crop year-to-date volume having increased 73.8% (33,319 contracts). Open interest levels in feed wheat futures, as of September 30, 2000, stood at 9,815 contracts, up 31.7% from September 30, 1999.

Flaxseed futures volume levels increased 67.8% for the month of September to 9,822 contracts compared to 5,852 contracts traded in September 1999. Open interest levels ended the month slightly ahead of year-ago levels at 4,936 contracts.

Trade in options for September was down slightly from 1999 levels with the decline in canola, feed wheat, and flaxseed options trade largely offset by an increase in barley option trade. Crop year-to-date trade volume in options remains slightly ahead of the pace set one year earlier. Total pit trade volume in options and futures rose 13.0% to 207,909 contracts compared to September 1999 (184,032 contracts).