Drip irrigation market seen topping $13B by 2030

The drip irrigation market is projected to grow 11% a year and surpass $13 billion by 2030 as agriculture faces rising water stress and demand for precision farming. Asia-Pacific is set to lead regional growth, while Netafim parent Orbia remains the market share leader.

Why it matters: - Drip irrigation is becoming a bigger part of modern agriculture as farmers look to cut water use and improve yields. - The market’s growth reflects pressure from water scarcity, drought, declining groundwater and climate volatility. - The category is also tied to broader investment in precision agriculture, smart farming and sustainable farming infrastructure.

What happened: - The Business Research Company released The Drip Irrigation Global Market Report 2026, covering market size, trends and forecasts through 2035. - The report projects the drip irrigation market will exceed $13 billion by 2030. - The market is forecast to grow at an 11% compound annual growth rate through 2030. - The report says drip irrigation will account for about 0.3% of the broader machinery market by 2030, when that market is projected at $5.28 trillion.

The details: - Inline emitters are expected to dominate the dripper segment by 2030, with 73% market share, or about $10 billion. - Inline emitters are favored in permanent irrigation systems for row crops and orchards because they support uniform water distribution, low maintenance, steady flow rates and clog resistance. - The market also includes filters, drip pipes, valves, pressure gauges, fittings and other components. - Crop segments include field crops, fruits and nuts, vegetables and other crop types. - Applications include surface irrigation and subsurface irrigation. - Asia-Pacific is projected to lead regional growth in 2030 with a market value of $4.7 billion, up from $2.6 billion in 2025. - Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at 12% annually, supported by water concerns, government incentives for micro-irrigation, more horticultural crop production and investment in advanced farming methods. - The U.S. is forecast to be the largest national market in 2030 at $3.2 billion, compared with $2.0 billion in 2025, rising at 10% a year. - Orbia Advance Corporation, through Netafim Limited, held the top global market share in 2025 at 6%. - The Toro Company had 4% share, while Hunter Industries and Valmont Industries each held 3%. - Rivulis Irrigation had 2% share; Rain Bird Corporation, Jain Irrigation Systems, Irritec S.p.A., and several others each held 1% or less. - The top 10 companies accounted for 22% of global revenue in 2025, showing a moderately fragmented market. - The report links growth to water scarcity and conservation needs, government subsidies and micro-irrigation programs, and wider adoption of precision agriculture and smart farming tools. - The report says those drivers contribute about 2.5%, 2.3% and 2.1%, respectively, to annual market growth. - Hybrid dripline systems are emerging as a notable innovation because they improve water-use efficiency, distribution and labor costs. - In February 2025, Netafim introduced a patented hybrid dripline system with a built-in outlet, described as leak-free, clog-resistant and adjustable. - The largest expansion opportunity through 2030 is expected in inline and online emitters, which together could add more than $6 billion in value. - The report estimates inline emitters could add $4 billion and online emitters $2 billion between 2025 and 2030.

Between the lines: - The market structure suggests no single player has dominant control, even though Orbia leads the category. - Fragmentation leaves room for regional manufacturers, distribution partnerships and product innovation to gain share. - The emphasis on smart irrigation and AI-driven monitoring shows the category is moving from hardware toward data-enabled water management.

What's next: - Market competition is likely to intensify as companies push new emitters, automated systems and precision irrigation platforms. - The report expects leading firms to expand through partnerships, new product launches and regional growth. - Further demand should come from farmers and agribusinesses trying to reduce input costs while protecting yields in water-stressed regions. - The report is available through the company’s market report page and a free sample request is also available.

The bottom line: - Drip irrigation is moving from niche efficiency tool to mainstream farm infrastructure as water scarcity, policy support and precision agriculture push the market toward $13 billion by 2030.