It is widely acknowledged that 2007 was a year of mergers, acquisitions and ongoing consolidation within the fresh produce industry, and last year we broke several stories on these pages that bear out that interpretation.

Industry analyst Plimsoll Publishing has this week urged our sector to brace itself for yet more amalgamations in the coming year, telling the trade that now is the time to “splash the cash” - suggesting that this sector has so far managed to weather the credit crunch better than others, where acquisition activity is clearly slowing down.

The issue of consolidation certainly seems to create fractions and divisions within the trade, and where you stand in the contentious debate demonstrates what kind of a company you work for. Plimsoll’s report is largely positive in tone, suggesting that although businesses may need to think a little more carefully about the kinds of acquisitions they make, the time has never been better to invest - strike while the coffers are relatively full, so to speak. Of course, we have also often printed plenty of negative opinions about consolidation, so there are clearly two sides to the story.

If Plimsoll’s report is anything to go by, 2008 could well become known as the Year of the Acquisition - and whatever you may think of that state of affairs, it seems you might just have to get used to it.