Packaged pears of three different cultivars grown in Italy were submitted to vibration simulating a medium-long transportation. An electro-dynamic shaker was used to simulate the vibration experienced in three different positions on to the floor of a semi-trailer equipped with air-ride suspensions. During simulation, the accelerations at three different positions of the column of crates were measured. Damage due to vibro-pressure stress occurred in 25%, 36%, and 28% of fruits of Abate, Conference and Decana cultivars, respectively. It mainly consisted of darkened streaks of the skin without bruising (Abate and Decana) or polishing of the skin, that appears shining, with slight bruises (Conference), in both cases without internal deteriorations of the flesh. Average dimensions of damage were 17 mm in maximum width and 24 mm in maximum length. The highest damage dimensions occurred in the sample of Abate pears. No significant differences among the percentages of damaged fruits submitted to different accelerations, depending on the position on to the floor and along the column of crates, were found. Significant differences only emerged among the damage dimensions depending on the position on to the floor of the semi-trailer, but the highest values were found in different positions for the different cultivars of pears. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.