The third quarter represents the Company's tenth consecutive quarter of comparable quarter growth.

Third Quarter Financial Highlights - versus fiscal 2000 third quarter - Net sales rose 15% to $24,655,500. - Operating income increased 33% to $2,766,400. - Net income grew 46% to $1,484,500 or $.51 per diluted share.

Nine-Month Financial Highlights - versus the first nine months of 2000

- Net sales increased 16% to $59,427,700.

- Operating income (before non-recurring income of $761,900) was up 26% to $5,322,600.

- Net income rose 63% to $2,901,100 or $.98 per diluted share.

Eric Wintemute, President and CEO of American Vanguard, commented, "We are pleased with the results for the third quarter and first nine months of the year. While we were deeply saddened by the tragic events of September 11th, we did not experience any major disruption in business. Additionally, we do not anticipate a significant impact from the economic slowdown, as our products are priced competitively and fulfill a basic need to safeguard crops and people from insects and other pests.

"We remain on target for fiscal 2001 sales to grow more than 10% over the 2000 level and net income to grow at a faster rate. We believe our solid financial position is an important factor in further expansion and as of September 30, 2001, the Company had $23.4 million in working capital and shareholders' equity of $31.2 million or $10.90 per share. Additionally, our EBITDA for the trailing 12 months is $12.7 million or $4.37 per share."

Mr. Wintemute continued, "We are delighted to welcome two of our newest institutional shareholders, T. Rowe Price and William D. Witter, who purchased a significant portion of the 400,000 shares of the Company's stock sold by our two founders in a previously announced transaction. Also, we were honored that the Company was recently included in Forbes' list of the 200 Best Small Companies in America. We see this distinction as a reflection of the successful execution of our strategy."

Mr. Wintemute concluded, "During the quarter, we began commissioning our recently acquired manufacturing facility in Alabama, and we expect it to be ready for operation in the first half of 2002. Our long-term growth strategy remains focused on acquiring additional product lines divested from multi-billion dollar companies. Based on continued industry consolidation, the expanded capacity and flexibility we are afforded from the new facility, and our pipeline of potential opportunities, we are confident in the successful implementation of our strategy. We are enthusiastic about the Company's prospects and look forward to reporting our progress."

Conference Call

Eric Wintemute, President & CEO, and James Barry, Senior Vice President & CFO, will conduct a conference call focusing on the financial results at 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday November 1, 2001. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 212-676-5237 approximately 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet via the Investors section of the Company's web site at www.american-vanguard.com. To listen to the live call please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to listen live, the conference call will be archived and can be accessed for approximately 90 days.

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. 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 judgement 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 Operations (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2001 2000 2001 2000 ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Net sales $24,655,500 $21,421,800 $59,427,700 $51,011,400 Cost of sales 13,239,700 12,552,100 32,963,300 27,852,700 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Gross profit 11,415,800 8,869,700 26,464,400 23,158,700 Settlement income 0 0 (296,400) 0 Gain on sale of emission credits 0 0 (465,500) 0 Operating expenses 8,649,400 6,790,400 21,141,800 18,921,700 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating income 2,766,400 2,079,300 6,084,500 4,237,000 Interest expense 300,800 390,400 1,262,800 1,272,300 Interest income (8,600) (6,300) (13,400) (8,600) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income before income taxes 2,474,200 1,695,200 4,835,100 2,973,300 Income tax expense 989,700 678,100 1,934,000 1,189,300 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income $ 1,484,500 $ 1,017,100 $ 2,901,100 $ 1,784,000 =========== =========== =========== =========== Earnings per common share $ 0.52 $ 0.34 $ 1.01 $ 0.60 =========== =========== =========== =========== Earnings per common share - assuming dilution $ 0.51 $ 0.34 $ 0.99 $ 0.60 =========== =========== =========== =========== Weighted average shares outstanding 2,871,453 2,962,233 2,869,716 2,967,091 =========== =========== =========== =========== Weighted average shares outstanding - assuming dilution 2,938,523 2,981,467 2,932,820 2,986,508 =========== =========== =========== ===========