Exhibit 99.1

Origin Agritech Limited Reports Unaudited Third Quarter Financial Results
For Three Months Ended June 30, 2012

Revenues increased by 10% year-over-year from RMB244.7 million to RMB269.3 million

Net income attributable to Origin Agritech was RMB25.4 million, EPS of RMB1.09

BEIJING--(PRNewswire-Asia)--August 7, 2012-- Origin Agritech Limited (NASDAQ: SEED) (“Origin” or the “Company”) , a technology-focused supplier of hybrid and genetically modified crop seeds in China, today announced unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended June 30, 2012. Origin prepares its financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of the United States.

FINANCIAL RESULTS OVERVIEW

During the third quarter of fiscal 2012, revenues increased by 10.1% year-over-year to RMB269.3 million (US$42.7 million) from RMB244.7 million one year ago. Higher revenues this quarter were mainly due to earlier sales settlement with the distributors for the 2012 selling season.

Deferred revenues were RMB257.3 million (US$40.7 million) as of June 30, 2012 compared with RMB287.2 million on June 30, 2011. Deferred revenues mainly reflect the value of Origin’s crop seeds after a) sales arrangement is confirmed; b) delivery to the customer is made; and c) pre-payment from the customer is received, but before the final sales price is fixed and determined. The final sales price is primarily determined by sales incentives that Origin gives to its customers. The year-over-year decrease in deferred revenues was mainly due to more revenue is recognized in the current period of this year. Deferred revenues as of June 30, 2012 also included a total of RMB24.9 million (US$3.9 million) of subsidies received from various levels of the Chinese government.

The sum of recognized revenues for the first nine months ended June 30, 2012 and deferred revenues as of June 30, 2012 were RMB568.3 million (US$90.0 million), compared with RMB550.1 million for the same period last year. Excluding the deferred government subsidies, Changchun Origin and the divestiture of Jilin Changrong, the sum of revenues for the first nine months ended June 30, 2012 and deferred revenues as of June 30, 2012 increased by 20.6% year-over-year to RMB493.4 million (US$78.2 million) from RMB409.1 million as of June 30, 2011. This year-over-year increase in recognized and deferred revenues was mainly due to an increase in corn seed shipping volume during the 2012 planting season. The table below lists the deferred revenues and recognized revenues with and without the contribution from Jilin Changrong and Changchun Origin, and government subsidies.

Year-to-date Revenues and Deferred Revenues, in thousands of RMB

	As of June 30, 2011	As of June 30, 2012	Year-over-Year Change
Deferred revenues excluding deferred government subsidies (1)	287,164	232,446
9-Month Revenues (2)	262,966	310,986
(1) + (2)	550,130	543,432	-1.2%
Deferred revenues excluding Jilin Changrong, Changchun Origin and deferred government subsidies (3)	287,164	232,446
9-Month Revenues (4)	121,982	260,955
(3) + (4)	409,146	493,401	20.6%

Notes: After the divestiture of Jilin Changrong Hi-tech Seed Company Limited (“Jilin Changrong”) in fiscal year 2011, Changchun Origin Seed Technology Development Limited (“Changchun Origin”) started operation in the same Northeastern region in fiscal year 2012.

Gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was RMB54.2 million (US$8.6 million) compared to RMB85.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

Total net operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased to RMB30.2 million (US$4.8 million) from RMB51.9 million during the same period in fiscal 2011. Lower operating expenses during the third quarter of fiscal 2012 were mainly due to a decrease in costs previously associated with Jilin Changrong, which are no longer applicable after the divestiture. Specifically, selling and marketing expenses were RMB10.3 million (US$1.6 million) for the third quarter of fiscal 2012, compared with RMB12.6 million for the same period last year. General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses decreased by 45.9% year-over-year to RMB12.9 million (US$2.0 million) from RMB23.8 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2011. Research and development (“R&D”) expenses were RMB8.2 million (US$1.3 million) for the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared with RMB15.5 million during the same period last year.

Income from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to RMB24.1 million (US$3.8 million) compared with income from operations of RMB33.9 million for the same period in fiscal 2011.

Net income attributable to Origin for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was RMB25.4 million (US$4.0 million), or RMB1.09 (US$0.17) per share - both basic and diluted, compared with a net income of RMB13.9 million, or RMB0.60 per share - both basic and diluted during the same period one year ago.

BALANCE SHEET

As of June 30, 2012, cash and cash equivalents were RMB194.2 million (US$30.7 million), and shareholders' equity was RMB217.4 million (US$34.4 million). Short-term borrowings were RMB39.0 million (US$6.2 million). Long-term borrowings were RMB30.0 million (US$4.7 million), representing bank borrowings to finance the construction of the seed conditioning plant in Xinjiang.

Advances from customers were RMB365.8 million (US$57.8 million) as of June 30, 2012 compared with RMB290.8 million a year ago. These advances represent cash receipts for future orders.

About Origin

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 Genetically Modified (GM) technology, Origin Agritech'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 GM seed pipeline including products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits. Staffed by approximately 800 employees, 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. For further information, please log on to the Company's website at: www.originseed.com.cn.

Forward Looking Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "targets," "goals," "projects," "continue," or variations of such words, similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Neither we nor any other person can assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of forward-looking statements. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, those risk factors discussed in Origin's filings with the SEC including its annual report on Form 20-F to be filed. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except share data)

	Three Months ended June 30,
	2011			2012
	RMB			RMB			US$
Revenues		244,688			269,319			42,667
Cost of revenues		(158,886	)		(215,102	)		(34,078	)
Gross profit		85,802			54,217			8,589
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing		(12,552	)		(10,301	)		(1,632	)
General and administrative		(23,756	)		(12,860	)		(2,037	)
Research and development		(15,506	)		(8,206	)		(1,300	)
Other operating income (expenses), net		(97	)		1,208			191
Total operating expenses, net		(51,911	)		(30,159	)		(4,778	)
Income from operations		33,891			24,058			3,811
Interest expense		(327	)		(1,308	)		(207	)
Share of net income of equity investments		2,430			721			114
Interest income		660			504			80
Income before income tax expense		36,654			23,975			3,798
Income tax expense:
Current		(1,739	)		(31	)		(5	)
Deferred		(3,754	)		-			-
Income tax expense		(5,493	)		(31	)		(5	)
Net income		31,161			23,944			3,793
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests		17,236			(1,500	)		(238	)
Net income attributable to Origin Agritech Limited		13,925			25,444			4,031
Other comprehensive income
Net income		31,161			23,944			3,793
Foreign currency translation difference		712			624			99
Comprehensive income		31,873			24,568			3,892
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		17,236			(1,500	)		(238	)
Comprehensive income attributable to Origin Agritech Limited		14,637			26,068			4,130
Net income per share – basic		0.60			1.09			0.17
Net income per share – diluted		0.60			1.09			0.17
Shares used in calculating basic net income per share		23,313,970			23,382,812			23,382,812
Shares used in calculating diluted net income per share		23,335,835			23,382,812			23,382,812

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  

(In thousands, except share data)  

	June 30			September 30			June 30
	2011			2011			2012			2012
	RMB			RMB			RMB			US$
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		219,989			129,942			194,200			30,704
Accounts receivable		8,592			6,616			11,360			1,796
Dividend receivable		-			-			2,100			332
Due from related parties		105			5,183			2,207			349
Advances to suppliers		5,215			12,418			14,362			2,271
Advances to growers		34,293			78,623			56,294			8,900
Inventories		434,114			210,826			385,631			60,970
Income tax recoverable		2,745			2,155			2,110			334
Other current assets		12,692			65,055			15,387			2,433
Total current assets		717,745			510,818			683,651			108,089
Land use rights, net		20,531			33,094			32,249			5,099
Plant and equipment, net		166,599			190,094			298,806			47,243
Equity investments		24,666			20,503			22,154			3,503
Goodwill		16,665			11,973			11,973			1,893
Acquired intangible assets, net		32,165			29,232			26,790			4,236
Deferred income tax assets		16,324			3,028			3,028			479
Other assets		29,763			19,640			2,384			377
Total assets		1,024,458			818,382			1,081,035			170,919
Liabilities and Equity:
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings		20,000			20,000			39,000			6,166
Accounts payable		14,198			5,740			13,488			2,133
Due to growers		10,951			7,947			9,685			1,531
Due to related parties		14,830			1,728			12,150			1,921
Advances from customers		290,783			397,933			365,758			57,828
Deferred revenues		287,164			19,812			257,346			40,688
Income tax payable		45,486			39,060			39,060			6,175
Other payables and accrued expenses		29,056			40,351			41,606			6,578
Total current liabilities		712,468			532,571			778,093			123,020
Long-term borrowings		-			-			30,000			4,743
Other long-term liabilities		6,133			-			-			-
Total liabilities		718,601			532,571			808,093			127,763
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock (no par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued)		-			-			-			-
Common stock (no par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized, 23,313,970, 23,382,812 and 23,382,812 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2012 respectively)		-			-			-			-
Additional paid-in capital		391,101			394,344			397,265			62,810
Retained deficit		(116,041	)		(99,533	)		(145,630	)		(23,025	)
Treasury stock at cost (498,851 shares)		(29,377	)		(29,377	)		(29,377	)		(4,645	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(7,387	)		(6,397	)		(4,906	)		(773	)
Total Origin Agritech Limited shareholders' equity		238,926			259,037			217,352			34,367
Non-controlling interests		67,561			26,774			55,590			8,789
Total equity		305,857			285,811			272,942			43,156
Total liabilities and equity		1,024,458			818,382			1,081,035			170,919

CONTACT:
Origin Agritech Limited
James Chen
Chief Financial Officer
james.chen@originseed.com.cn

Grayling

Shiwei Yin, 646-284-9474

shiwei.yin@grayling.com