Slight Gain Expected in China’s Grain Output

China’s grain output will increase marginally in 1987 but will fall well short of the government’s target, the newspaper China Daily said Saturday. The report said Chinese farmers will produce 395 million to 400 million tons of grain, up from 391 million tons in 1986, but below the goal of 405 million tons.

China produced a record 405 million tons in 1984, but output fell to 380 million tons in 1985 and only partially recovered last year. The report said the nation is not in danger of a grain shortage as long as output stays above 385 million tons.