The USDA has forecast world sugar inventories in 2017-18 to fall 600,000 tonne to a six-year low of 38.3 million tonne. Despite expectations of a record world sugar production in 2017-18, global sugar stocks are seen falling due to lower inventories in China and Mexico. The department has forecast world sugar output in 2017-18 to rise by 8.8 million tonne to a record 179.6 million tonne, amid expectations of recovery in production of the sweetener in India.