News

Irish Beef Exports to Switzerland: Premium Market, Precision Logistics

Switzerland remains a high-value destination for Irish beef exports — and the trade lane continues to demonstrate long-term resilience.

According to Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland exported approximately 2,158 tonnes of beef to Switzerland in 2023, valued at €33.88 million.

Data from Trend Economy (2023) adds to this, with clear indication of Irish Beef’s dominance within the Swiss market.

In addition to this, there is a clear prominence of Irish Beef’s influence within Switzerland when comparing Irish market against other regions.

While Switzerland represents a specialist, premium market, it sits within a much larger growth story for Irish beef globally.

According to Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects 2025–26 report:

• Total Irish beef exports reached €3.4 billion, up 24%.
• Exports to continental European markets increased by 28%, reaching an estimated €1.6 billion, accounting for 49% of overall trade value.
• Continued tightening of European beef supplies is expected to sustain import demand, with EU beef production forecast to decline by a further 1% in 2026 (EU Commission).

Against this backdrop, Switzerland remains a strategically important premium market requiring precision logistics and dependable capacity.

Fresh Irish Bovine Meat (HS 0201)

The core commodity moving from Ireland to Switzerland is:

0201 – Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled

Swiss buyers position Irish beef at a premium level across retail, foodservice, and food manufacturing sectors.

Export consignments typically include:

• Fresh chilled beef transported at 0°C to +2°C
• Specification-led, high-value cuts
• Palletised consignments for distributors and food manufacturers
• Structured groupage movements for lower-volume exporters

Maintaining cold chain integrity and documentation accuracy is essential to protect product value and avoid customs disruption.

Supply Tightening, Demand Sustained

European beef supply is tightening. Bord Bia highlights a continued decline in EU beef production, with a further 1% reduction forecast for 2026.

This structural supply pressure is expected to sustain import demand across the region, particularly in high-value markets such as Switzerland.

For Irish exporters, this creates:

• Stronger positioning for premium grass-fed beef
• Increased reliance on efficient cross-border logistics
• Greater need for secure, predictable transport capacity

Switzerland, while smaller in volume than some EU markets, remains commercially attractive due to pricing and premium positioning.

Route & Schedule

Switzerland sits outside the EU Customs Union, requiring coordinated export and transit procedures.

HANNON operates structured temperature-controlled services from Ireland (IE/ROI and XI/NI) to Switzerland (CH).

Typical Schedule:

This structured transit profile supports shelf-life planning, retail slot adherence, and production scheduling.

Matching Service to Product & Market Needs

Temperature-Controlled Fleet

Fresh (0°C to +2°C) and Frozen (–18°C) beef is transported using modern refrigerated trailers with real-time monitoring.

Dual-temperature capability is available where required for mixed pallet consignments.

Structured Palletised Groupage (LTL)

Our weekly temperature-controlled groupage service is designed for:

• Low to medium volume exporters
• High-value palletised consignments
• Regular, repeat Swiss shipments
• Flexible shipment quantities

This structured approach allows exporters to move premium product without waiting to build full trailer volumes.

In-House Customs Clearance

Swiss-bound exports require export declarations and transit documentation. Our in-house customs team manages export and transit procedures, reducing border risk and administrative burden.

Capacity Planning in a Tightening European Market

With:

• Irish beef exports reaching €3.4 billion
• Continental European trade worth €1.6 billion
• Forecast EU supply contraction continuing

Exporters operating on the Ireland–Switzerland lane benefit from securing reliable palletised groupage capacity early.

HANNON operates its own fleet of modern refrigerated trailers, providing direct operational control and reduced reliance on subcontracted networks.

As demand remains strong and supply tightens across Europe, logistics stability becomes a commercial advantage.

Our Specialities

Temperature Control & Dual-Temp Capability

Our refrigerated trailers operate within strict chilled and frozen parameters, with dual-temperature capability available for mixed loads. Real-time monitoring ensures full traceability throughout transit.

Groupage & Full Load Flexibility

Not every exporter moves full trailer volumes daily. Our groupage (LTL) services allow processors to ship smaller consignments while maintaining cold chain integrity and defined transit times. Full load (FTL) options remain available for higher-volume movements.

In-House Customs Expertise

Exporting meat into the EU requires accurate documentation, health certification alignment, and smooth border processing. Our in-house customs team manages export declarations and supports seamless EU entry, reducing administrative friction for exporters.

Operational Control

With our own fleet, facilities, and experienced drivers, HANNON maintains direct oversight across the full journey — reducing reliance on subcontracted networks and improving service consistency.

Talk to HANNON About Ireland–Switzerland Beef Exports

If Switzerland is part of your export portfolio, now is the time to review your transport strategy.

We support Irish processors with:

• Structured weekly palletised schedules
• 0°C to +2°C temperature integrity
• In-house customs clearance
• Own fleet and operational control
• Flexible volumes from one pallet upwards

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

Transport & Handling

HS Codes
• 0201 – Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled
• 0202 – Frozen bovine meat

Handling Conditions
• Fresh: 0°C to +2°C
• Frozen (where applicable): –18°C

Service Capabilities
• Groupage [LTL]
• Palletised Temperature-Controlled Transport
• Dual-Temperature Trailers
• EU–CH Transit & Customs Clearance
• Own Fleet & Drivers
• Real-Time Track & Trace