Up to 10% of the Goulburn Valley's pear crop may have been lost in the hail storm last week that tore through Ardoma and north Shepparton. It is estimated that around 16,000 tonnes of pears could be lost. One of the hardest hit areas was in North Shepparton where 53% of pears were lost and 49% of apricots. Fruit Growers Victoria statistics revealed that from 8 affected growers, about 76% of stone fruit were damaged and 65% of pears. Apple and Pear Australia LTD market developer, Olivia Tait has suggested that the growers develop a marketing plan to improve the effects of possibly more blemished fruit coming onto the market. She has suggested to promote the marked fruit as 'hail stone heroes' because the fruit survived the elements. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com