Petroleum and coal products, with a 19.9 percent share, was the largest export sector in the Bakersfield-Delano market in 2010. Following closely behind was agriculture, with 19.4 percent of local exports, reported Courtenay Edelhard in the Bakersfield Californian.

Almonds, cotton, cherries and fresh vegetables account for the bulk of the region's agricultural exports, said Brian Marsh, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Kern County, an agronomy and cotton expert.

It helps that the area's harvest for key crops, such as cherries, begins earlier than in other...