Schedule of Intangible Assets Recognized in Connection with Product Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 116,189	$ 115,249	$ 86,973
Acquisitions during fiscal	3,473	316	32,677
Impact of movement in exchange rates and other adjustments	(118)	(161)	63
Other Adjustments related to deferred liabilities		6,802
Amortization expense	(6,023)	(6,017)	(4,464)
Ending Balance	$ 113,521	$ 116,189	$ 115,249

Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization During Period

No definition available.

Name:	avd_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of assets (excluding financial assets) that lack physical substance, excluding goodwill, having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16323-109275

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects increase (decrease) to the recorded value of indefinite-lived intangible assets for foreign currency translation adjustments and purchase accounting adjustments needed to revise the carrying amount of indefinite-lived intangible assets to fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date of rights not otherwise specified in the taxonomy having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant