The Peak of the Apple & Pear Season: France to Ireland Supply Chain

As the leaves begin to turn in the autumn months, the harvest season for apples and pears reaches its peak in France. Known for its wide range of premium fruit varieties, France is one of Europe’s largest producers of apples and pears. The demand for these fruits in Ireland surges during this time, with Irish consumers eagerly awaiting the arrival of fresh, high-quality apples and pears. To ensure that these fruits reach supermarket shelves in peak condition, an efficient and reliable supply chain is essential.

At HANNON Transport, we play a key role in managing the logistics of transporting apples and pears from the orchards of France to Irish markets. With our extensive expertise in cold chain logistics, we ensure that the fruits remain fresh, crisp, and ready for consumption as they journey across Europe.

The 2024 Apple & Pear Season: A Bumper Harvest

The 2024 apple and pear harvest in France is expected to be a bumper crop, with both fruit varieties seeing strong yields. Due to the consistent demand for high-quality, fresh fruit in Ireland, it is projected that approximately 60,000 tonnes of apples and pears will be transported from France to Ireland over the course of the season. This is an increase of about 5% compared to the 2023 season, reflecting both the larger harvest and growing consumer preference for fresh fruit.

Key Figures for the 2024 Apple & Pear Transport to Ireland:

• Total Volume: An estimated 60,000 tonnes of apples and pears will be transported from France to Ireland.
• Peak Shipping Period: The busiest shipping period will be from late September through November, aligning with the peak harvest times in France.
• Popular Varieties: Apples such as Gala, Golden Delicious, and Braeburn, as well as pears like Conference and Williams, will make up the majority of shipments.

This increase in harvest volume and continued demand means that the logistics behind transporting apples and pears must be seamless, ensuring the freshness of the fruit throughout the entire supply chain.

The Challenges of Transporting Apples and Pears

Apples and pears are relatively resilient fruits, but they are still highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and rough handling. For these fruits to reach Irish consumers in the best condition, it is critical that they are transported under controlled conditions and handled with care.

Key Factors in Apple and Pear Transport:

Temperature Control: Both apples and pears must be kept at specific temperatures during transit to maintain their crisp texture and prevent over-ripening. Typically, apples are transported at 2°C–4°C, while pears have slightly different requirements, often needing temperatures between 1°C–3°C to stay fresh.

Humidity Regulation: Apples and pears have a high water content, which makes maintaining proper humidity levels essential. Too much moisture can lead to rot or mould, while too little can cause the fruit to dry out and lose its crispness.

Gentle Handling: Apples and pears are vulnerable to bruising, which can lead to premature spoilage and lower market value. Careful handling during both the loading and unloading process is critical to prevent damage and ensure the fruit arrives in excellent condition.

How HANNON Ensures Freshness During the Journey

At HANNON Transport, we are specialists in managing the delicate cold chain logistics required for transporting apples and pears from France to Ireland. From the moment the fruit is harvested to its arrival at the retail shelf, we ensure that it is handled with the utmost care and precision.

Key Aspects of Our Cold Chain Management:

State-of-the-Art Refrigerated Trailers: We use modern refrigerated trucks that maintain precise temperature control for both apples and pears. By keeping the fruits within the recommended temperature range throughout the journey, we preserve their texture, colour, and flavour.

Humidity-Controlled Environments: Our refrigerated transport is equipped with advanced humidity regulation systems, ensuring that the fruits don’t become too dry or moist, both of which can lead to spoilage or a decline in quality.

Efficient Route Planning: Our well-planned transport routes ensure that apples and pears travel quickly and efficiently, reducing transit times and increasing shelf life. By prioritising direct routes, we ensure minimal delays in delivery.

Real-Time Monitoring: We provide real-time tracking of shipments, so both our team and customers are always aware of the location and condition of the fruits throughout their journey. If any temperature or humidity deviations occur, we can adjust the system to prevent damage.

The Transport Journey: From French Orchards to Irish Shelves

The journey of apples and pears from France to Ireland begins in the orchards, where the fruits are harvested, sorted, and packed for transport. This stage is crucial for quality control, as only the best fruits are selected for export.

The Key Stages of the Journey:

• Harvesting and Sorting: Apples and pears are harvested at the peak of ripeness and sorted to ensure only the best-quality fruits are packed for transport. They are then placed in protective packaging to prevent bruising.
• Transport to French Ports: Once packed, the fruit is transported to French ports, where it will be shipped across the English Channel to Ireland. During this leg of the journey, temperature and humidity controls are maintained to keep the fruits in perfect condition.

Arrival and Distribution: Upon arrival in Ireland, the apples and pears are swiftly transported to distribution centres, where they are either sent to retailers or directly to supermarkets. From there, they are stocked on shelves, ready for consumers to enjoy.

Why Timeliness is Critical for Apple & Pear Transport

The shelf life of apples and pears is relatively long, but to ensure they are consumed at their peak freshness, speed is of the essence. Delays or improper handling can lead to spoiled produce, reducing the quality of the fruit and potentially resulting in significant food waste.

Why Timely Transport Matters:

• Maximising Freshness: The faster the apples and pears are transported; the fresher they will remain. Shortening the time between harvest and delivery is key to keeping the fruits in optimal condition for consumers.
• Reducing Food Waste: Spoiled or overripe fruits that have spent too long in transit result in unnecessary waste. Timely deliveries reduce the chances of this occurring, ensuring that more fruit makes it to market.

Why Timeliness is Critical for Apple & Pear Transport

The shelf life of apples and pears is relatively long, but to ensure they are consumed at their peak freshness, speed is of the essence. Delays or improper handling can lead to spoiled produce, reducing the quality of the fruit and potentially resulting in significant food waste.

Why Timely Transport Matters:

• Maximising Freshness: The faster the apples and pears are transported; the fresher they will remain. Shortening the time between harvest and delivery is key to keeping the fruits in optimal condition for consumers.
• Reducing Food Waste: Spoiled or overripe fruits that have spent too long in transit result in unnecessary waste. Timely deliveries reduce the chances of this occurring, ensuring that more fruit makes it to market.

A Fruitful Season Ahead for France to Ireland Supply Chain

As the 2024 apple and pear harvest season approaches, the demand for fresh French apples and pears in Ireland remains high. With 60,000 tonnes of apples and pears expected to be transported from France to Ireland, ensuring that these fruits arrive fresh and in perfect condition is paramount.

At HANNON Transport, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of cold chain logistics, providing our customers with reliable and efficient transportation solutions. From the orchards of France to the supermarket shelves in Ireland, our end-to-end transport services ensure that apples and pears are delivered with care, preserving their quality and freshness every step of the way.