Origin Agritech Limited Names Dr. Michael W. Trimble to Board of Directors.

BEIJING & SAN DIEGO -- Origin Agritech Limited (NASDAQ: SEED) ("Origin") announced today the appointment of Dr. Michael W. Trimble to its board of directors.

According to Dr. Gengchen Han, Chairman and CEO of Origin, the company recruited Dr. Trimble to become a director so that Origin could benefit from his outstanding record in the international plant and crop seed industry. Dr. Trimble has more than twenty-six years of experience in crop breeding and the agricultural seed industry, leading research teams in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He is the founder of Trimble Genetics International LLC, a plant genetics research company, and he has served as its President since 2001. Prior to founding Trimble Genetics, Dr. Trimble spent 16 years at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a DuPont company that is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics to farmers worldwide.

Dr. Trimble is an inventor of patents that have contributed to over $500 million in revenue. He also serves as a director for the African Agricultural Technology Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Trimble graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, and completed graduate programs at both Purdue University and Iowa State University.

Dr. Trimble is replacing Michael D. Chermak, who resigned from the Origin Board of Directors effective May 12, 2006 in order to allow Dr. Trimble to join. Dr. Trimble will also serve as a member of the Board's Audit and Nominating Committees.

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 the 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 four new proprietary corn hybrids to the market. In 2005 Origin had five new proprietary corn hybrids and one new proprietary cotton hybrid approved by the government registration office. Origin anticipates that it will introduce approximately 40 new proprietary products into the Government testing and approval cycle between now and 2008.

Forward Looking Statement

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of 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: 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.