American Vanguard Six-month EPS $.28 Vs. $.03.

Business Editors

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2000

American Vanguard Corporation (AMEX:AVD) today reported financial results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2000. P. For the second quarter, the Company achieved net income of $689,200 or $.26 per diluted share, an 11% increase from the comparable quarter of 1999; sales remained constant. Gross profit margin increased from 46% to 49% as a result of the product mix. Operating income grew 14% to $1,620,500, even though operating expenses were elevated due in large part to sales and marketing efforts for the Fortress(R) soil insecticide business the Company acquired in the first quarter of this year.

For the six-month period, net sales increased 6% to $29,589,600 over the first half of 1999, while gross profit margin grew to 48% versus 44% for the 1999 period. Operating income more than doubled, reaching $2,157,700. Net income rose dramatically to $766,900 or $.28 per share from $93,900 or $.04 per share in the six months ended June 30, 1999.

Eric Wintemute, President and CEO of American Vanguard, commented, "We are pleased with the results for the first half of the year, especially since it is historically our weaker half. The addition of Fortress to the Company's product line and the entrance into the corn soil insecticide business using the SmartBox delivery system, was a major challenge that we successfully met. We expect to penetrate this market to a greater extent in the year 2001 as growers become more familiar with our capabilities." P. Mr. Wintemute continued, "During the quarter we acquired Zeneca Ag Products' Dacthal herbicide business. Since that time, we have been gearing up to re-launch this important product into its key worldwide markets this Fall. This product addition will begin to generate sales in the final quarter of this year, but will have a more significant effect in 2001. Additionally, we have a solid pipeline of product acquisition prospects, and continue to be optimistic as we pursue opportunities arising from the recent consolidation in the agricultural industry."

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)

                  Three Months Ended          Six Months Ended
                      June 30,                      June 30,
                 2000        1999          2000         1999
                 ----        ----          ----         ----

                                   (Unaudited)

Net sales   $17,803,800   $17,660,100   $29,589,600    $27,846,300
Cost of
 sales        9,017,100     9,496,600    15,300,600     15,461,300
            --------------------------------------------------------

Gross profit  8,786,700     8,163,500    14,289,000     12,385,000


Operating
 expenses     7,166,200     6,738,600    12,131,300     11,355,800
            --------------------------------------------------------

Operating
 income       1,620,500     1,424,900     2,157,700      1,029,200

Interest
 expense
 - net          472,000       397,900       879,600        877,800
            --------------------------------------------------------


Income before
 income taxes 1,148,500     1,027,000     1,278,100        151,400


Income tax
 expense        459,300       407,700       511,200         57,500
            --------------------------------------------------------

   Net income $ 689,200     $ 619,300    $  766,900      $  93,900
            --------------------------------------------------------

Basic and diluted
   Net income per
   share (1)  $     .26     $     .23    $      .28      $     .03
            --------------------------------------------------------

Weighted Average Number
 of Shares (1)
              2,698,536     2,728,425     2,699,587      2,735,096
            --------------------------------------------------------

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