French agroindustrial company Groupe Avril announced the passing of chairman Xavier Buelin over the weekend, aged 58.
The company called his death an 'irreplaceable loss' and said he will be remembered as a determined man who worked 'tirelessly' for the development of French agriculture.
He had been a cereal, oilseed, and dairy farmer in Donnery, Loiret, since 1976.
In 2015, he assumed the position of chairman, after serving in a similar position with Sofiprotéol, Avril's financing and development arm.
He was heavily involved in the union movement, became the chairman of the National Federation of Agricultural Holders' Unions (FNSEA).
'We will remember the energy, the charisma and the vision of a man who made such a major contribution to the emergence of Avril as a French champion. His legacy is enormous and will live on in our memory,' the company said in a statement.
Founded in 1983, the oilseed and protein company is present in very distinct sectors involving human and animal nutrition, as well as renewable energy.
It owns such brands as Lesieur, Puget, Matines, and Munica.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
