<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
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<FILENAME>a5253587ex99_1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1 PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>
                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

Origin Agritech Limited Acquires Additional 42.42% Interest in Denong Zhengcheng
   Seed Company, Ltd. and Announces Change in Fiscal Year End to September 30

    SAN DIEGO & BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 19, 2006--Origin
Agritech Limited (NASDAQ: SEED) ("Origin") today announced that it has
acquired, through its subsidiary Beijing Origin Seed Limited ("Beijing
Origin"), an additional 42.42% equity interest in Denong Zhengcheng
Seed Company, Ltd. ("Denong"), a developer, producer, and marketer of
hybrid rice, cotton, and rape seed principally in the southwestern
region of China.

    As previously announced, in January 2006 Beijing Origin acquired a
52.21% controlling interest in Denong. Together with the newly
acquired 42.42% equity interest, Beijing Origin currently owns
approximately 95% of Denong for which it has paid total consideration
of approximately $6.2 million in cash.

    Dr. Gengchen Han, Origin's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We
believe that our substantial ownership of Denong represents a
meaningful and cost effective approach to strengthening Origin's
position in China's hybrid seed industry. Since our acquisition of a
controlling interest in Denong in January, we have increased our
presence in China's two primary crops - corn and rice - and broadened
our hybrid offerings to include Denong's 10 proprietary rice hybrids,
6 proprietary rapeseed hybrids, and 5 proprietary cotton hybrids. We
have integrated Denong's large, localized distribution network, which
is expected to facilitate higher sales, as well as Denong's 4 research
facilities and 5 production facilities, all of which are located in
southwestern China."

    Origin also announced that its Board of Directors has elected to
change the Company's fiscal year end from the previously announced
June 30 to September 30, beginning with the 2006 fiscal year. This
change will continue to allow Origin to conform its internal budget
and reporting practices to the seasonal nature of the seed industry.
Because of this distinct business cycle, the majority of Origin's
sales are recorded in the January 1 - June 30, and October 1 -
December 31 periods; the period July 1 - September 30 coincides with
the growing season, during which few sales occur.

    ABOUT ORIGIN

    Founded in 1997, Origin specializes in the research, development,
production, sale and distribution of hybrid corn, rice and cotton
seeds in China. The Company owns or leases facilities in, among other
locations, Beijing, Gansu, Henan, Helongjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Hainan
and Sichuan provinces, and also has an office in San Diego, CA. Origin
launched its first entirely internally developed seed in 2003 and in
2004 introduced two new proprietary corn hybrids to the market. In
2005 Origin had three new proprietary corn hybrids and one new
proprietary cotton hybrid approved by the government registration
office in China. Origin anticipates that it will introduce close to 49
new proprietary products into the Chinese government testing and
approval cycle in 2006.

    FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT

    Any forward looking statements contained in the press release may
fall within the definition of "forward-looking statements" under the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking
statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such
forward-looking statements, based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of Origin's management, are subject to risks and
uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the
forward looking statements. The following factors, among others, could
cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements: adjustments made in connection with the
completion of Origin's audit for the year ending on September 30,
2006; business conditions in China; weather and natural disasters;
changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles;
outcomes of government reviews; inquiries and investigations and
related litigation; continued compliance with government regulations;
legislation or regulatory environments, requirements or changes
adversely affecting the businesses in which Origin is engaged;
fluctuations in customer demand; management of rapid growth; intensity
of competition from other providers of seed products; timing approval
and market acceptance of new products introduction; general economic
conditions; geopolitical events and regulatory changes, as well as
other relevant risks detailed in Origin's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be
read in light of such risks. Origin assumes no obligation to update
the information contained in this press release or filings.

    CONTACT: Origin Agritech Limited
             Jeff Wang, Chief Financial Officer, 0086-10-5890-7518
             or
             Investor Relations:
             The Equity Group Inc.
             Devin Sullivan, 212-836-9608
             or
             Richard D. Propper, MD, 619-795-4627
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