The organisation has increased the estimate for global rice output in 2018-19 to record 511.4 mln tn, from 511.3 mln tn seen last month and 504.6 mln tn produced last year. Global utilisation of rice has been pegged at 509.5 mln tn, up from 509.3 mln tn projected earlier, and 504.3 mln tn last year. Following rise in the estimate for global rice consumption, the agency has lowered its projection for 2018-19 ending stocks to 173.7 mln tn from 173.8 mln tn projected earlier. Global trade in rice is seen at 47.5 mln tn, 0.1 mln tn higher than the earlier estimate, but lower from 47.8 mln tn last year.