Most of the Central Valley crops destined for overseas are sent via cargo ships from west coast ports. A modest amount of exports are flown from San Francisco and Oakland.

But a new study from C-S-U, Fresno says within the next decade distributors are going to be turning to places such as Sacramento to air lift their produce as the volume increases. Two reasons are cited. Increasing international demand for fruits and vegetables, and congestion at coastal ports.

Jock O'Connell, one of the co-authors of the study, says farmers and business operators in the Central Valley should be preparing for Sacramento to become a major player in international trade.

"True international service out of Sacramento airports for the far east and Europe present wonderful opportunities for new market access that companies as well as agriculture growers out to be looking for and planning for."

The study indicates the advent of new long-distance cargo planes will facilitate international trade.

Farmers say having Sacramento as a distribution point, will help them market perishable commodities like cherries and asparagus.