AMVAC expects weather to affect second quarter performance

American Vanguard Corporation (AMVAC) recently announced that it expects the recent wet weather in the Midwest and Southeast United States to affect its second quarter financial performance. Accordingly, the Company anticipates that results for the second quarter of 2013 will not meet the consensus revenue or earnings expectations published by research analysts covering the Company. The Company believes that while net sales for the quarter will likely exceed those of second quarter 2012, it is too early to quantify the impact on net earnings for the period.

Because of the delay in planting caused by rain, quarterly sales of the Company’s post-emergent herbicide, Impact, while considerably higher than those of the comparable quarter of 2012, are below its forecasted levels. The Company expects to see some demand for Impact shift from second quarter to third quarter 2013, when weeds become more evident and the product is in use. Further, wet conditions have caused a reduction in the number of cotton acres planted in the U.S.; some analysts estimate a reduction of 25% from 2012. Consequently, second quarter sales of the Company’s Bidrin insecticide and Folex harvest defoliant will be below forecasted levels. Demand for these products in subsequent quarters will become much clearer in the coming months, and the Company will report on their status during that period.

Eric Wintemute, Chairman and CEO of American Vanguard, stated, “At every level of the supply chain, the crop protection industry is feeling the effects of unfavorable spring planting weather. It is unfortunate that adverse weather conditions are coming at a time when our products are receiving such broad acceptance. However, we view this as a brief downturn in our industry and expect that the strong, global demand for food, animal feed, natural fiber and bio-fuels will continue to increase the demand for greater agricultural productivity and yield enhancement. This is our business, and we are well-positioned to serve this growing market.”