Dietmar Pircher

Dietmar Pircher had worked at Vog for almost two decades

The international fruit trade has lost one of its foremost apple traders.

Dietmar Pircher, a senior member of Italian consortium Vog’s commercial team, passed away on Wednesday 22 March following an extended period of illness.

“We are overcome by profound grief that our valued colleague and head of sales, Dietmar Pircher, has unfortunately passed away this week,” the group said in a statement.

Pircher had worked in the fruit business for many years, joining Vog in 2000.

Since then he had played a key role in the development of Vog’s commercial activities, both in Italy and across several European markets.

“In his role as head of sales, he put all his energy and passion into the project of club brands and has been an important contributor to their success,” the company added.

“For Dietmar the past three years have been a brave struggle with a serious illness. He was facing this difficult struggle during this final period of his life with courage, bravery and without complaint until the very last day.

“In this sad moment we are standing by his wife, his children and his family. With Dietmar we lost an appreciated colleague and a good friend.”