For 2017-18, global carryover stocks of maize are seen declining to 203 mln tn from the estimated stock of 235 mln tn in 2016-17. The likely decline would be the first in five years. While global maize production is seen higher at 1.034 bln tn this year, up from the previous estimate of 1.029 bln tn, the consumption forecast is up as well, at 1.067 bln tn from the last estimate of 1.058 bln tn. The global maize stock estimate is also lower than the previous estimate of 208 mln tn for 2017-18. The projected reduction in the stock is due to higher projected industrial use of maize, mostly in China.