Total futures volume was 116,365 contracts, up 26.2% from July 2004 and 15.0% from last year. Total options volume reached 1,027 contracts for the month, posting an increase of 44.0% from July 2004.
The increase in overall volume during August was supported by strong gains recorded in the level of trade in canola futures contracts. There were 97,483 canola futures contracts traded, representing increases of 32.8% from last month and 46.0% from a year ago.
Trade in canola options rose 56.8% from last month to 627 options contracts.
Feed wheat futures contract volume rose 14.8% from July 2004 with 3,949 contracts traded.
There were 14,933 western barley futures contracts and 400 western barley options contracts traded in August.
Total open interest stood at 68,419 on August 31, 2004, which is an increase of 7.6% from a year ago.
Please note that volume numbers now include pit trades, Exchange for Physicals (EFP’S), Exchange for Risk (EFR’s), futures deliveries and options exercises.
