American Vanguard Declares $.13 Cash Dividend and 10% Stock Dividend.

Business Editors

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2000

American Vanguard Corp. (AMEX:AVD) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $.13 per share, representing 10% of 1999 earnings on a per share basis, as well as a 10% stock dividend (one new share for each ten outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share).

Both dividends will be distributed on April 14, 2000 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2000. The cash dividend will be paid on the number of shares outstanding prior to the 10% stock dividend. Shareholders entitled to fractional shares resulting from the stock dividend will receive cash in lieu of such fractional share based on the closing price of the Company's stock on March 31, 2000.

Eric G. Wintemute, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Vanguard, commented, "Our Board of Directors holds a favorable outlook for American Vanguard's growth in 2000 and beyond due to the product acquisition opportunities we are seeing from the recent consolidations in the agricultural industry. Additionally, future sales increases will have a more important effect on the bottom-line because we significantly reduced our cost structure during 1999. The stock dividend should benefit our shareholders by increasing liquidity in our Company's stock as a result of expanding the number of shares outstanding. This is the fifth consecutive year that we have distributed cash dividends. Since our Board has a great deal of confidence in the outlook for the Company, we are contemplating issuing cash dividends on a semi-annual basis beginning in fiscal 2001."

American Vanguard recently announced record results for 1999, despite a difficult year for the agricultural industry as a whole. Net sales increased 3% to a record $69,211,700, while other figures rose at significantly faster rates due to the Company's reduced cost structure:

- Gross margin improved from 40% in 1998 to a record 48% in 1999;

- EBITDA grew by 22% to a record level of $10,046,000 or $4.06 per fully
diluted share;

- Record operating income was $6,878,200, a 33% increase, and operating margin
rose from 7.7% to a record 10%;

- Net income rose 52% to a record level of $3,235,500 or $1.31 per diluted
share.

Of note, shareholders' equity was $25,968,900 or $10.60 per share and the debt to equity ratio was 1.14:1.00 at December 31, 1999.

American Vanguard Corporation is a diversified specialty and agricultural products company. Its subsidiaries include AMVAC Chemical Corporation, 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 Mexican office; and Environmental Mediation, Inc., an environmental consulting firm.

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, changes 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 forward-looking statements.