Australia Weather News

Eighty per cent of Australia's pears are grown in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, but this year's crop has been damaged by hail stones. - ABC

The fruit industry will ask consumers to lower their expectations on fruit quality this season.

Two hailstorms have decimated pear crops in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, which grows more than 80 per cent of Australia's pears.

The industry is asking supermarkets to support its 'hailstorm heroes' campaign, to sell some of the slightly damaged, or marked fruit.

It's the brainchild of Olivia Tait, of Apple and Pear Australia Limited, who wants to give the damaged fruit an identity.

"I came up with two initially, which was battler pear, he's the great survivor."

"He said, 'I've been through the worst, some of the others didn't make it but I survived.'"

"A few little nicks and marks shouldn't deter customers."

"The other one is guru pear and guru pear is all about the beauty lies within. So don't be put off by the aesthetics."

"The campaign will only be as big if the retailers get on board with it, we're at their mercy in that regard, it could be huge or it could be all that APAL (Apple and Pear Australia Limited) can do in terms of generating some interest."

ABC