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Fresh, juicy strawberries might seem like a summer indulgence, but thanks to modern logistics, they remain readily available on Irish supermarket shelves throughout the winter months. Transporting soft fruit during colder seasons presents a range of challenges, from ensuring delicate berries are not damaged in transit to maintaining precise temperature and humidity levels.

At HANNON Transport, we specialise in temperature-controlled logistics, making it possible for Irish retailers to offer high-quality, fresh strawberries all year round. By working closely with growers in Spain and France and leveraging our expertise in cold chain transport, we ensure strawberries arrive in peak condition, ready for consumers to enjoy.

Challenges of Transporting Soft Fruit in Winter Conditions

Berries are among the most fragile fresh produce items, requiring exceptional care during transportation to prevent spoilage and maintain their natural flavour, colour and texture. While summer presents fewer obstacles, winter brings additional challenges that require expert handling:

1. Temperature Sensitivity

Strawberries must be kept within a precise temperature range—typically between 1°C and 2°C—to prevent overripening, dehydration or frost damage. Any deviation can lead to a rapid decline in quality, affecting taste and shelf life.

2. Humidity Control

Humidity is just as important as temperature. If strawberries are exposed to excess moisture, they can develop mould, while insufficient humidity can cause them to lose their natural juiciness and become soft or shrivelled. Maintaining the right balance is essential to keeping strawberries fresh.

3. Speed of Delivery

Unlike hardier fruits, strawberries have an extremely short shelf life. They must be transported quickly and efficiently to prevent deterioration before reaching retailers. Winter weather, including freezing temperatures, snow and storms, can impact travel times and disrupt supply chains, making careful logistics planning crucial.

 

How HANNON Ensures Berry Freshness from Spain and France to Ireland

During the winter months, Ireland relies heavily on strawberry imports from Spain and southern France, where milder climates allow for year-round cultivation. To bridge the gap between growers and Irish retailers, HANNON Transport provides:

1. Temperature-Controlled Transport

Our state-of-the-art refrigerated trailers are designed to maintain a stable, optimal temperature throughout the journey, ensuring strawberries remain fresh, firm and free from spoilage.

2. Express Transit Routes

With high-frequency services between mainland Europe and Ireland, we minimise transit times, ensuring that strawberries reach distribution centres and store shelves as quickly as possible. Our efficient transport routes allow for seamless delivery, even during peak seasonal demand.

3. Real-Time Monitoring and Quality Control

We use advanced tracking technology and temperature sensors to provide real-time monitoring of shipments. This ensures that we can identify and correct any potential issues before they impact product quality, guaranteeing that strawberries arrive in perfect condition.

4. Expert Handling and Storage

From the moment strawberries are harvested, they are carefully packed, handled and transported under strict cold chain conditions. Our experienced teams ensure that loading and unloading are done with minimal exposure to external temperatures, preserving freshness at every stage of the journey.

Meeting Retailer Demand for Seasonal Produce Outside Peak Growing Seasons

Consumer demand for fresh strawberries is no longer confined to the summer months. Supermarkets, wholesalers and independent retailers must meet expectations by stocking high-quality, fresh produce all year round. However, ensuring consistent supply outside peak growing seasons requires meticulous logistics planning and a trusted transport partner.

At HANNON Transport, we support retailers by providing:

• Flexible, high-frequency delivery schedules to meet fluctuating demand.
• Reliable, temperature-controlled transport solutions that ensure produce arrives in optimal condition.
• A commitment to sustainability, using efficient routing and eco-friendly practices to reduce food waste and minimise our carbon footprint.

By working closely with growers and suppliers across Europe, we help Irish retailers keep their shelves stocked with fresh, delicious strawberries, whatever the season. Whether they’re being enjoyed in a winter fruit salad, a Valentine’s Day dessert or a nutritious smoothie, we ensure that consumers can savour the taste of perfectly fresh berries all year round.

At HANNON Transport, we’re proud to be at the forefront of temperature-controlled logistics, delivering fresh produce from farm to fork with efficiency and care. As demand for high-quality, seasonal fruit continues to grow, we remain committed to providing fast, reliable and sustainable transport solutions for Ireland’s fresh produce industry