American Vanguard Corporation Announces 1997 First Quarter Results.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 1997--American Vanguard Corp. (Nasdaq National Market:AMGD) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 1997. -0-

                                   RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                  QUARTER          QUARTER
                                   ENDED            ENDED
                                  3/31/97          3/31/96
                                        (Unaudited)

Net sales                      $10,583,600      $10,421,100
Cost of sales                    6,431,800        6,248,000

   Gross profit                  4,151,800        4,173,100

Operating expenses               3,881,000        3,356,900

   Operating income                270,800          816,200

Interest expense - net            (351,000)        (258,700)

   (Loss)/income from operations
     before income taxes           (80,200)         557,500

Income tax benefit (expense)        24,100         (223,000)

   Net (loss) income         $     (56,100)   $     334,500

Per share information:
 Net (loss)/income                  $(0.02)           $0.13

  Weighted average number
   of shares                     2,507,829        2,522,079
-0-

    Eric Wintemute, President and CEO of American Vanguard,
commented, "With sales volume typically lowest in the Company's first
quarter, 1997 first quarter sales are in line with last year's first
quarter record sales and with our expectations.  The Company's
profitability was impacted by our investments to support and grow the
VapamO (metam sodium) product line, which was acquired effective
December 31, 1996.  As evidenced by the $524,100 increase in
operating expenses, we have been investing in the technical, sales
and marketing infrastructure to support expected significant sales of
metam sodium in the second half of the year."
    "We are confident that the highly skilled sales and marketing
team we have assembled will also generate higher sales across our
product line in the current year,"  added Mr.  Wintemute, "allowing
us to meet our stated revenue goal of $80 million and produce strong
earnings.  In light of our favorable outlook for 1997, we were very
pleased to pay our shareholders a $.06 per share cash dividend on
March 31st."
    The Company, from time to time, may discuss forward-looking
information.  Except for the historical information contained in this
release, all forward-looking information are estimates by the
Company's management and are subject to various risks and
uncertainties that may cause results to differ from management's
current expectations.  Such factors include weather conditions,
change in regulatory policy, and other risks as detailed from time to
time in the Company's SEC reports and filings.  Forward-looking
statements in this release represent the Company's judgment as of the
date of this release.  The Company disclaims, however, any intent or
obligation to update such statements.
    American Vanguard Corporation is a diversified specialty and
agricultural chemical company.  Its subsidiaries include AMVAC, which
develops and markets safe and effective products for agricultural and
commercial uses; GemChem, Inc., a national chemical distributor;
AMVAC Chemical UK Ltd., the Company's UK office; Quimica Amvac De
Mexico S.A.  de C.V., the Company's new Mexican office; and
Environmental Mediation, Inc., an environmental consulting firm.

CONTACT: Eric G. Wintemute, President & CEO

James Barry, Vice President & CFO

[phone]

or

AMGD'S INVESTOR RELATIONS FIRM:

The Equity Group Inc.

Tamara Ehlin

[phone]