Origin Agritech says Chengdu plant, other facilities not seriously damaged by China quake

NEW YORK (AP) -- China-based Origin Agritech Ltd. said Wednesday its Chengdu production and distribution plant as well as facilities in other areas were not seriously damaged in the Sichuan earthquake.
The supplier of crop seeds and agri-biotech research also reported no employee casualties.

Monday's magnitude 7.9 earthquake has caused nearly 15,000 deaths, with Chinese state media reporting tens of thousands more are buried or missing.

Origin said it is keeping abreast of earthquake-related updates and will take appropriate action when necessary.

Shares of Origin Agritech rose 14 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $6.78 in electronic premarket trading. The stock closed at $6.64 on Tuesday.