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<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a5262313ex99_1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1 PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>
                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

  Origin Agritech Limited Increases Ownership Interest in Biocentury Transgene
                               (China) Co., Ltd.

    SAN DIEGO & BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2006--Origin
Agritech Limited (NASDAQ: SEED) ("Origin") today announced that it has
acquired, through its subsidiary Beijing Origin Seed Limited ("Beijing
Origin"), an additional 19% equity interest in Biocentury Transgene
(China) Co., Ltd. ("Biocentury"), one of the leading biotechnology
companies in China focused on producing precursors for the genetically
modified ("GM") seed industry. The consideration paid by Origin was
RMB 16.7 million ($2.12 million at an exchange rate of RMB 7.8781 per
$1.00). Together with the 15% equity interest previously acquired,
Beijing Origin currently owns 34% of Biocentury.

    Dr. Gengchen Han, Origin's Chief Executive Officer, commented,
"Genetically modified soybean and cotton seeds are widely used in the
United States and other countries to guard against insect damage and
to increase yields. Currently, the Chinese government allows GM cotton
to be planted to guard against borer damage. While GM food seeds have
not yet been approved in China, we believe that the potential exists
for GM technology to be applied to Chinese corn and rice seeds at some
point in the future. We believe that our investment in Biocentury will
ensure that Origin's GM technology will be ready in advance of any
potential market that is created in China."

    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. These risks are 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, 0086-10-5890-7518
             Chief Financial Officer
             or
             Investor Relations:
             The Equity Group Inc.
             Devin Sullivan, 212-836-9608
             or
             Richard D. Propper, MD, 619-795-4627
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