Origin Agritech Introduces ‘Aoyun 2026’ Initiative to Enhance Next-Generation Seed Varieties

On March 10, 2026, Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED) announced the launch of its “Aoyun 2026” new variety promotion program, aimed at accelerating the adoption of high-performing seed products. This initiative was unveiled during the company’s 2026 Annual Marketing Executive Conference, held from March 2-3, 2026, in Changsha, Hunan Province.

The Aoyun 2026 project serves as a pivotal commercial vehicle for promoting advanced seed varieties in broader agricultural markets throughout 2026. Weiwei Shi, General Manager of Henan Origin, has been appointed as General Commander of this initiative. The program will be coordinated with all subsidiary companies of Origin, with a focus on delivering greater value to growers through next-generation seed technologies.

This launch aligns with the company’s product pipeline priorities for the upcoming selling season. Origin’s research pipeline is well-stocked with competitive germplasm, and the commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and gene-editing technologies is being expedited through a strategic alliance with China Golden-mark Biotech. In the previous fiscal year, Origin successfully introduced four new corn varieties: Jingke 317, Jinqiao 8, Xundan 203, and Aoyu 728, all of which received multiple national and provincial trial approvals.

Regional Deployment Plans Finalised

During the conference, regional teams from various provinces, including Henan, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, the Northeast provinces, and Xinjiang, presented and finalised their annual campaign plans. This collective deployment encompasses key target markets, including the Huanghuai Hai corn belt and the Northeast four-province corn corridor, as well as central and northwest China.

The timing of this regional rollout coincides with China’s spring planting season, which commenced after Jingzhe, the traditional solar term marking the reawakening of the agricultural cycle, on March 5, 2026.

The conference also featured comprehensive discussions regarding the integration of online and offline sales channels, focusing on the operational model of the “Golden Harvest Club” distributor alliance. This strategic initiative was launched in fiscal year 2025 to strengthen relationships within the distribution ecosystem.

Performance Accountability Contracts for 2026-2027

A key highlight of the conference was the signing of performance accountability contracts for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Origin’s CEO, Weibin Yan, and Vice President, Yubiao Liu, signed contracts with the core management team and subsidiary general managers, committing each unit to specific operational and financial targets. Vice President and Marketing Director, Jing Dou, also signed individual agreements with each subsidiary general manager to establish accountability chains across the sales organisation.

This contract-signing process formalises accountability structures within Origin’s commercial organisation following a year of significant restructuring. In fiscal year 2025, the company expanded its sales team from 63 to 106 professionals, completed leadership restructuring, and secured a seed production operation license for Beijing Origin. The performance contracts aim to translate this rebuilt infrastructure into measurable commercial outcomes in the forthcoming seasons.

Management Insights

Weibin Yan, CEO of Origin Agritech, commented on the launch of “Aoyun 2026”, stating that it marks a crucial turning point for the company, transitioning from a rebuilding phase to a focus on aggressive commercial execution. He emphasised the importance of assembling a world-class sales organisation, a strong product pipeline, and a disciplined accountability framework to achieve market penetration. Yan noted that “Aoyun 2026” is designed to convert these assets into tangible value for shareholders while providing growers with the advanced technology necessary for success.

About Origin Agritech Limited

Origin Agritech Limited, established in 1997 and headquartered in Beijing, is a prominent Chinese agricultural technology company. The company has made significant contributions to crop seed biotechnologies, including the development of the first transgenic corn to receive the Bio-Safety Certificate from China’s Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, Origin has developed a robust biotechnology seed pipeline featuring products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance traits. For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.originagritech.com. Origin also maintains an X account for investor updates at https://x.com/origin_agritech.