American Vanguard First Quarter EPS $.03 Vs. Loss of $.19.

Business Editors

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2000

American Vanguard Corp. (AMEX:AVD) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2000.

First Quarter 2000 Financial Highlights - vs. first quarter of 1999

-- Net sales increased 16% to $11,785,800;

-- Gross profit margin rose to 46.7% from 41.4%;

-- Operating expenses as a percent of net sales decreased to

42.1% from 45.3%;

-- Operating income was $537,300 compared to an operating loss of

$(395,700);

-- Net income improved to $77,800 or $.03 per diluted share from

a net loss of $(525,400) or $(.19) per diluted share.

Additionally, on a trailing 12 months basis (12 months ended March 31, 2000 as compared to 12 months ended March 31, 1999), net sales increased to $70,811,300, EBITDA was up 39% to $10,994,500, operating income rose 65% to $7,811,200, and net income more than doubled reaching $3,838,700 or $1.42 per share (per share information has been adjusted to reflect a 10% stock dividend paid April 14, 2000 to common stockholders of record as of March 31, 2000).

Eric Wintemute, President and CEO of American Vanguard, stated, "Our higher sales levels in the first quarter stem in part from the Fortress(R) soil insecticide business that we acquired from DuPont half-way through the quarter. This, combined with better margins, enabled us to improve operating income significantly and begin the year with a profitable quarter for the first time in several years."

Commenting on the outlook for the Company, Mr. Wintemute said, "We expect continued sales growth for the remainder of 2000, and as a result of the leaner cost structure we put in place last year, profitability should increase at an even faster pace. We are also optimistic about expanding the Company via the niche product acquisition opportunities we are seeing from the recent consolidations in the agricultural industry. We look forward to reporting our progress."

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.

            American Vanguard Corporation and Subsidiaries
                   Consolidated Statements of Income
                              (Unaudited)

                                            Quarter        Quarter
                                             Ended          Ended
                                            3/31/00        3/31/99

Net sales                               $ 11,785,800    $ 10,186,200
Cost of sales                              6,283,500       5,964,700
                                        ------------    ------------

   Gross profit                            5,502,300       4,221,500

Operating expenses                         4,965,000       4,617,200
                                        ------------    ------------

   Operating income (loss)                   537,300        (395,700)

Interest expense-net                         407,600         479,900
                                        ------------    ------------

   Income (loss) before income taxes         129,700        (875,600)

Income tax (expense) benefit                 (51,900)        350,200
                                        ------------    ------------

   Net income (loss)                    $     77,800    $   (525,400)
                                        ============    ============

Basic and diluted
   Net income (loss) per share (1)      $        .03    $      (0.19)
                                        ============    ============

Weighted average number of shares (1)      2,700,639       2,741,840
                                        ============    ============


(1) Retroactively restated to reflect a 10% common stock dividend paid
April 14, 2000 to common stockholders of record as of March 31, 2000.