Chicago – October 12, 2026 -- CME Group's Corn futures traded a record 1,206,376 contracts on Oct. 9, topping the previous daily high of 1,128,597 contracts set on March 29, 2019, by 77,779 contracts.
USDA report above expectations drives the rush to reposition
Traders turned to Corn futures after last week's USDA report to adjust positions and manage price risk. The market had priced in lower yields after a challenging summer, but the report showed ending stocks, yields and production all above expectations, according to John Ricci, CME Group's Global Head of Agricultural Products.
Ricci said CME Group remains focused on "equipping clients to manage their risk in any market environment."
Agriculture average daily volume climbs 18.1% in the third quarter
CME Group's agriculture business averaged 2,022,488 contracts per day in the third quarter, up 18.1% year over year. September volume was stronger: average daily volume reached 1,936,761 contracts, up 28.8% from a year earlier.
Corn futures and options volumes grow by more than 30%
Corn futures averaged 502,004 contracts per day in the third quarter, up 35.2% year over year. Corn options averaged 179,674 contracts per day, up 31.4%.