Even before AB InBev revealed it was weighing up a bid for SABMiller, dealmakers covering food and beverage companies had been gorging on a glut of acquisitions, but if the mega tie-up happens it would vault bankers into unprecedented territory.

The sector has already served up announced merger and acquisitions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa so far in 2015 to the tune of $32.2 billion - the highest value at this point in a year since 2007, when deals totaled $48.1 billion, according to data provider Dealogic.