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

Whether you’re a co-op, processor or independent producer, reliable logistics can mean the difference between a successful sale and a missed opportunity. That’s why so many Irish dairy exporters trust HANNON Transport to deliver — and why we remain at the heart of this vital supply chain.

If you’re looking to streamline your logistics, grow into new markets or ensure more consistent delivery to existing ones, our team would be happy to help.