Beijing, China
May 13, 2014

Origin Agritech Limited (NASDAQ GS: SEED) ("Origin", or the "Company"), a technology-focused supplier of crop seeds in China, today announced that its Board of Directors has received a preliminary non-binding proposal letter, dated May 12, 2014, from Hunan Xindaxin Company Limited ("Xindaxin"), pursuant to which Xindaxin proposes to acquire the Company (the "Transaction") for US$2.50 in cash per ordinary share of the Company. Xindaxin is the controlling shareholder of Yuan Longping Hi-Tech Agriculture Co., Ltd., a China-based company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange primarily engaged in the research, production and sale of agricultural products.

The Company's Board of Directors is reviewing and evaluating Xindaxin's proposal and cautions the Company's shareholders and others considering trading in the Company's securities that the Board of Directors has not yet made any decisions with respect to the proposed Transaction, or the Company's response to the proposed Transaction. There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any agreement will be executed or that this or any other transaction will be approved or consummated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to provide any updates with respect to this or any other transaction, except as required under applicable law.

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Zhong-Guan-Cun (ZGC) Life Science Park in Beijing, Origin Agritech Limited (NASDAQ GS: SEED) is China's leading agricultural biotechnology company, specializing in crop seed breeding and genetic improvement, seed production, processing, distribution, and related technical services. Leading the development of crop seed biotechnologies, Origin's phytase corn was the first transgenic corn to receive the Bio-Safety Certificate from China's Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, Origin has established a robust biotechnology seed pipeline including products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits. Origin operates production centers, processing centers and breeding stations nationwide with sales centers located in key crop-planting regions. Product lines are vertically integrated for corn, rice and canola seeds.

Website: http://www.originagritech.com

Published: May 13, 2014