The FAO's initial forecast for the 2024/25 season anticipates global cereal production to reach 2,846 million tonnes, mirroring the record output of 2023/24. While corn and wheat production may decline, increases are expected in barley, rice, and sorghum. Despite uncertainties from unplanted northern hemisphere crops, global cereal utilization is projected to rise by 0.5% to 2,851 million tonnes, driven by higher rice consumption. Global cereal stocks are forecasted to grow by 1.5% to a record 897 million tonnes, though wheat stocks might drop to their lowest since 2021/22. The cereal stocks-to-use ratio should stay around 30.9%. However, global cereal trade is expected to decrease by 1.3% due to weaker maize trade, while international rice trade is set to increase significantly.