Earnings Before Income Tax Goal Weighted Percentage

No definition available.

Name:	avd_EarningsBeforeIncomeTaxGoalWeightedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Employee Service Share Based Compensation Shares Received From Exercise Of Stock Options

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avd_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationSharesReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Employee Service Share Based Compensation Value Of Shares Received From Exercise Of Stock Options

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avd_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationValueOfSharesReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net Sales Goal Weighted Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avd_NetSalesGoalWeightedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage Shares Vesting Based on Performance

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avd_PercentageSharesVestingBasedOnPerformance
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Vesting Date

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingDate
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Payment Option Exercisable Maximum Period

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementBySharePaymentOptionExercisableMaximumPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share Based Compensation Arrangements Maximum Target

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsMaximumTarget
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Stock Option Exercise Price Minimum Percentage On Grant Date Fair Value Of Underlying Shares

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avd_StockOptionExercisePriceMinimumPercentageOnGrantDateFairValueOfUnderlyingShares
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stock Option Ownership Percentage Required For Exercise Price Of Fair Market Value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avd_StockOptionOwnershipPercentageRequiredForExercisePriceOfFairMarketValue
Namespace Prefix:	avd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation related to stock options during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

+ Details

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

- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based awards, other than options, awarded to employees as compensation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (j)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Estimated period over which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the equity-based payment award, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of vesting of share-based compensation awards.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (d)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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

- Definition

Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the number of shares into which fully vested and expected to vest stock options outstanding can be converted under the option plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (e)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of shares of capital stock issued (purchased by employees) in connection with an employee stock ownership plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 40

-Section 25

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6418455&loc=d3e16649-113920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockOwnershipPlan
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of new stock issued during the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=avd_IncentiveStockOptionPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=avd_IncentiveStockOptionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=avd_PerformanceBasedOptionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=avd_ScenarioSevenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=avd_ScenarioSixMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Stock Options - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Potential number of common stock issued under company's ISOP	47,213	27,923	40,116
Incentive Stock Option Plans, Options granted	277,025
Number of shares received upon exercise of stock options		49,638
Value of shares received upon exercise of stock options		$ 1,651
Performance Based Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive Stock Option Plans, Options granted	107,689
Number of option shares vest on anniversary of grant date	107,689
Number of Shares, Granted	107,689
Targeted performance percentage	200.00%
Performance based stock options based upon financial performance of earnings before interest and tax ("EBIT") and net sales goal for the period commencing January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2017 \| Performance Based Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vesting based on Performance	80.00%
Earnings before income tax goal weight, percentage	50.00%
Net sales goal weight, percentage	30.00%
Performance based stock options based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the course of the period commencing January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2017 \| Performance Based Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vesting based on Performance	20.00%
Incentive Stock Option Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Potential number of common stock issued under company's ISOP	4,296,000
Option Exercisable Maximum Period	10 years
Option Exercise Price as Percentage of Fair Value of Common Stock	10.00%
Option exercise price as percentage of fair value of common stock	110.00%
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	1,480	2,365	15,910
Cash received from stock option exercised	849	946	2,996
Incentive Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive Stock Option Plans, Options granted	277,025	0	0
Incentive Stock Options \| First Anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of option shares vest on anniversary of grant date	26,483
Incentive Stock Options \| Second Anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of option shares vest on anniversary of grant date	26,483
Incentive Stock Options \| Third Anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of option shares vest on anniversary of grant date	26,483
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	14.81	$ 30.91	21.51
Number of forfeited common stock that is granted	20,772
Number of Shares, Granted	240,724
Nonvested unamortized stock-based compensation expense, contractual term	1 year 9 months 18 days	1 year 10 months 24 days
Restricted Stock \| Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of common and restricted stock issued to employees and non-executive board members	240,724	162,336	248,536
Stock option granted vesting period	3 years	3 years	3 years
The total fair value recognized over the related service periods	3,566	5,018	5,346
Number of forfeited common stock that is granted	20,772	11,999	1,367
Restricted Stock \| Minimum \| Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	13.84	$ 23.43	13.34
Restricted Stock \| Maximum \| Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	14.92	$ 31.83	34.04
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	14.51
Number of Shares, Granted	79,270	24,637
Cliff vesting date	May 23, 2017
Targeted performance percentage	200.00%	200.00%
Number of years of service before vesting		3 years
Stock-based compensation expense	168	90
Unamortized stock-based compensation expense	1,249	$ 564
Nonvested unamortized stock-based compensation expense, contractual term	2 years 1 month 6 days	2 years 4 months 24 days
Performance Shares \| Performance based shares based upon net income and net sales for the period commencing April 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	30.13
Percentage of shares vesting based on Performance		80.00%
Performance Shares \| Performance based shares based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the course of the period commencing June 6, 2013 and ending on December 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	15.31
Percentage of shares vesting based on Performance		20.00%
Performance Shares \| Performance based shares based upon financial performance of earnings before interest and tax ("EBIT") and net sales goal for the period commencing April 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	14.92
Percentage of shares vesting based on Performance	80.00%
Earnings before income tax goal weight, percentage	50.00%
Net sales goal weight, percentage	30.00%
Performance Shares \| Performance based shares based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the course of the period commencing April 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	12.85
Percentage of shares vesting based on Performance	20.00%