Origin Agritech to buy fertilizer distributor

Beijing-Origin Agritech Ltd., a vertically-integrated supplier of premium corn, rice, cotton, and canola crop seeds, has announced that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire a majority interest in Guang Xi Fortuneland Agricultural Corp. Ltd. in an all-cash transaction. Guang specializes in the manufacture, sale, and distribution of chemical and fertilizer products in southern China. Based on preliminary analysis and historical results, Origin believes that Guang generates annual revenues in excess of US$100 million, and has a significant share of the provincial market.