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As summer reaches its peak, demand for soft fruits such as strawberries, cherries, raspberries, and blueberries surges across Ireland, the UK, and Europe. These seasonal favourites are essential for retailers, restaurants, and food producers, driving an increase in temperature-controlled transport to maintain their freshness, quality, and shelf life.

With global soft fruit production rising—EU strawberry production alone is expected to reach over 1.3 million tonnes in 2025—logistics providers must ensure efficient cold chain management to meet consumer expectations. At HANNON Transport, we specialise in the timely and precise delivery of soft fruit, ensuring products remain at optimal temperatures from farm to fork.

The Challenges of Soft Fruit Transport

Soft fruits are highly perishable, meaning they require specialist handling to maintain their taste, texture, and freshness. Unlike hardier fruits, strawberries, cherries, and raspberries have thin skins and high-water content, making them susceptible to damage, spoilage, and dehydration if not handled correctly.

Key challenges in soft fruit logistics include:

Temperature Sensitivity

• Soft fruits must be kept at between 0°C and 4°C to slow down ripening and prevent spoilage.
• Even a 2°C increase can significantly reduce shelf life and lead to product loss.

Humidity Control

• High humidity levels (90–95%) are required to prevent soft fruits from drying out.
• Without proper humidity control, berries can lose moisture, affecting their weight and quality.

Short Shelf Life

• Strawberries can last 5–7 days post-harvest, while cherries and raspberries have even shorter lifespans.
• Rapid transport and just-in-time deliveries are crucial to minimise waste.

Handling & Packaging Risks

• Rough handling can bruise fruit, causing early spoilage.
• Soft fruit packaging requires special ventilation and cushioning to protect delicate produce.

With these challenges in mind, HANNON Transport ensures that soft fruits are transported quickly, safely, and under strict conditions to maintain their premium quality.

How HANNON Ensures the Freshest Soft Fruit Transport

At HANNON Transport, we provide specialist temperature-controlled logistics to support the growing soft fruit industry in Ireland and across Europe. Our approach ensures that produce arrives in perfect condition, ready for sale.

Temperature-Controlled Transport

• Our fleet of refrigerated trailers maintains precise temperatures throughout transit.
• Real-time temperature monitoring ensures products stay within the ideal 0–4°C range.
• Multi-temperature trailers allow for mixed loads of fresh and frozen produce, improving efficiency.

Express Deliveries from Key Growing Regions

• Spain and France are Europe’s top producers of soft fruit, exporting thousands of tonnes to Ireland each year.
• We operate direct transport routes from major European soft fruit hubs, ensuring Irish retailers receive the freshest produce as quickly as possible.

Controlled Humidity & Ventilation

• Our refrigerated trailers maintain optimal humidity levels (90–95%) to preserve moisture.
• Advanced air circulation systems prevent condensation, reducing the risk of mould and decay.

Just-in-Time Delivery for Retailers & Wholesalers

• We offer daily departures from soft fruit-producing regions to meet the tight demands of supermarkets and restaurants.
• Our just-in-time logistics model ensures that products arrive fresh, reducing waste and maximising shelf life.

With our expertise in cold chain logistics, HANNON Transport plays a crucial role in keeping Ireland stocked with the freshest summer fruits.

The Rising Demand for Soft Fruit in Ireland & the UK

Consumer demand for fresh, healthy produce continues to grow, with soft fruit sales reaching record levels in recent years.

• The UK soft fruit industry was worth £1.7 billion in 2023, with strawberries accounting for over 60% of sales.
• Ireland imports over 20,000 tonnes of soft fruit annually, with demand peaking in June and July.
• The European cherry market is expanding by 3.5% annually, with increasing exports to Ireland.

Retailers and wholesalers must work with reliable logistics partners to ensure their soft fruit supply chain remains smooth and efficient throughout the busy summer months.

The Rising Demand for Soft Fruit in Ireland & the UK

Consumer demand for fresh, healthy produce continues to grow, with soft fruit sales reaching record levels in recent years.

• The UK soft fruit industry was worth £1.7 billion in 2023, with strawberries accounting for over 60% of sales.
• Ireland imports over 20,000 tonnes of soft fruit annually, with demand peaking in June and July.
• The European cherry market is expanding by 3.5% annually, with increasing exports to Ireland.

Retailers and wholesalers must work with reliable logistics partners to ensure their soft fruit supply chain remains smooth and efficient throughout the busy summer months.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Soft Fruit Logistics

As demand for soft fruit continues to rise, logistics providers must focus on:

✔ More sustainable transport solutions – including lower-emission vehicles and optimised routes.
✔ Advanced cold chain technology – improving shelf life through better refrigeration systems.
✔ More efficient customs clearance – ensuring smooth cross-border trade for EU-Ireland imports.

At HANNON Transport, we are committed to providing best-in-class temperature-controlled logistics, ensuring fresh, high-quality soft fruit reaches Irish retailers and consumers at peak freshness.