Europe Loves Irish Dairy — And Reliable Logistics Drives Its Success

Ireland’s grass-fed dairy products are renowned across Europe for their quality, flavour and sustainability — and demand continues to grow. From cheeses and butters to powdered milk and fresh dairy ingredients, Irish dairy exports are an essential part of Europe’s food supply chain.

But this success depends on something less talked about — logistics. Without a fast, secure and dependable route to market, Irish dairy producers would struggle to meet shelf-life demands and keep up with customer expectations. That’s where HANNON Transport comes in.

Why European Markets Love Irish Dairy

According to Agriland (Feb 2024), the European Union was the top market for Irish dairy exports in 2023, accounting for 38% of total value — over €2.4 billion. The key drivers?

• Grass-fed production — Irish dairy is naturally rich, flavourful and nutritious thanks to Ireland’s natural grass-based farming system.
• Trusted quality and sustainability — Buyers across Europe value the consistent quality, traceability, and environmental standards upheld by Irish producers.
• Strong customer relationships — Europe’s food industry relies on timely delivery and quality assurance — both of which depend on exceptional logistics.

Logistics That Keep Dairy Supply Chains Moving

At HANNON Transport, we move dairy shipments daily from all over Ireland to the Netherlands, Belgium and other northern European destinations. Whether it’s full loads or groupage (LTL), chilled or ambient, we provide the service levels exporters rely on:

• Temperature-controlled transport — Including dual-temp trailers for mixed loads
• Real-time Track & Trace — Total visibility across every leg of the journey
• Daily departures from Ireland (Day 1) — With delivery to NL/BE by Day 3
• Full control — With our own fleet, facilities and people throughout
• Customs cleared — With in-house teams managing export and import clearance
• IEA Export Industry Award Winner 2024 — Logistics & Supply Chain Company of the Year

Helping Ireland’s Dairy Sector Compete and Grow

Irish dairy has a global reputation — but delivery matters just as much as origin. Producers, co-ops, and processors rely on logistics partners who understand chilled chain requirements, compliance, and the pressure to perform.

At HANNON, we help exporters:

• Meet buyer schedules across the EU

• Maintain full cold chain control

• Scale into new markets through flexible groupage options

• Reduce the risks of missed slots or product spoilage

From liquid milk powder to speciality cheese, our team ensures that every load arrives on time and in optimal condition.

Talk to Us Today

Looking to grow exports or improve logistics performance in your EU supply chain?
Get in touch with HANNON Transport to explore how we can support your chilled and ambient dairy logistics.

📧 sales@hannontransport.com
📞 +44 28 9265 1441

What HANNON Transport Delivers

HANNON Transport provides temperature-controlled groupage logistics between Ireland and Europe.

We operate high-frequency groupage [LTL] and full load [FTL] services between the Netherlands and Ireland [NL–IE], Belgium and Ireland [BE–IE], and across other key European lanes.

Our services are trusted by food and fresh produce importers, wholesalers, and distributors who require fast, reliable access to and from Europe—with full customs compliance, flexible collection options, and secure temperature control from first pallet to final delivery.

Transport & Handling Summary

Routes: IE–NL, IE–BE, IE–FR, IE–GB
HS Codes:
• 04061020 – Mozzarella
• 04069021 – Cheddar
• 04069061 – Emmental
• 0405 – Butter
• 0402 – Milk powder

Handling Conditions:
• Butter & cheese: +2°C to +6°C
• Milk powder: Ambient
• Ice cream (if required): –18°C
• Humidity control available

Service Capabilities:
• Groupage (LTL), Full Load (FTL)
• Dual-Temperature Trailers
• Real-Time Track & Trace
• Just-in-Time Delivery
• Temperature-Controlled Logistics
• Cross-Docking
• Own Fleet & Drivers
• In-House Customs Clearance [EU–NI] [EU–ROI] [NI–ROI]