American Vanguard Declares Dividend of $.11 and 10% Stock.

Business Editors

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2001

American Vanguard Corp. (AMEX:AVD) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $.11 per share as well as a 10% stock dividend (one new share for each ten outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share). The Company had issued a cash dividend of $.05 per share in September of 2000; the current cash dividend represents the balance of 10% of the Company's earnings per share for fiscal 2000 of $1.60.

Both dividends will be distributed on April 13, 2001 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 30, 2001. 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 30, 2000.

Eric G. Wintemute, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Vanguard, commented, "The Board of Directors has continued confidence in the Company's growth prospects for 2001 and beyond due to the important product lines we acquired in 2000, as well as the opportunities that we believe are still available for additional growth via acquisition. We expect fiscal 2001 revenues to increase more than 10% over the prior year, with net income growing at a faster rate, and also plan to declare another dividend in September."

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 Mexico 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.