American Vanguard Declares $.14 Cash Dividend and 4-For-3 Stock Split.

Business Editors

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2002

American Vanguard Corporation (AMEX:AVD) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $.14 per share. The Board of Directors also declared a four-for-three stock split in the form of a 33% stock dividend. The cash dividend and newly issued shares will be distributed on April 12, 2002 to shareholders of record as of March 29, 2002. The cash dividend will be paid on the number of shares outstanding prior to the stock split. 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 29, 2002.

Eric G. Wintemute, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Vanguard, commented, "We are pleased to be distributing this cash dividend to our shareholders, which represents our 18th cash dividend and a 27% increase over the dividend declared at this time last year. Additionally, the stock dividend, which is the sixth in the Company's history, will further increase the number of shares in the public float available for trading, and therefore improve liquidity and enhance the potential for broader ownership of our stock. After this distribution, there will be approximately 3.8 million shares of our common stock outstanding."

Mr. Wintemute continued, "These dividends indicate the Board's continued confidence in the Company's prospects. We believe the recent doubling of our manufacturing capacity through the acquisition of a DuPont facility, coupled with the continued consolidation in our industry, increases our opportunities to acquire and license additional product lines and pursue long-term growth."

About American Vanguard

American Vanguard Corporation is a diversified specialty and agricultural products company focusing on crop protection and management, turf management and public health insecticides. The Company's basic strategy is to acquire brand name, niche product lines from multi-billion dollar companies that divest mature products to focus on newly discovered molecules. In 2001, American Vanguard was named to Forbes' Best 200 Small Companies List (#155). To learn more about American Vanguard, please reference the Company's web site at www.american-vanguard.com.

The Company, from time to time, may discuss forward-looking information. Except for the historical information contained in this release, all forward-looking statements 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. All forward-looking statements, if any, 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.