Drip Irrigation Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component (Valves, Pumps, Filters), By Method (Surface, Subsurface), By Crop (Field Crops, Fruits & Nuts), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Drip Irrigation Market Size & Trends

The global drip irrigation market size was estimated at USD 6.30 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.8% from 2024 to 2030. Several factors are driving the market growth, including the growing adoption of sustainable agricultural practices to address issues such as water scarcity. Moreover, the need for higher agricultural yield to address the growing demand for food production is driving the market’s growth. 

Drip irrigation, a form of micro-irrigation, is an effective system for delivering water and nutrients to crops. This method ensures precise delivery directly to the plant roots, providing optimal amounts exactly when required for each plant to thrive. The irrigation system offers uniform water distribution and minimal loss of nutrients and fertilizers. These systems reduce water usage significantly compared to traditional irrigation methods. Moreover, the long-term cost-effectiveness of drip irrigation drives the market’s growth.

Many governments around the world promote the adoption of drip irrigation through subsidies, incentives, and supportive policies aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and conserving water resources. India has launched various initiatives and subsidies to encourage drip irrigation adoption. One such prominent initiative is the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), which was designed to improve water efficiency in agriculture. Under PMKSY, farmers are eligible for financial support to install drip irrigation systems. This initiative reduces reliance on traditional irrigation techniques and contributes significantly to water conservation efforts.

Recent advancements in drip irrigation technology have significantly enhanced its efficiency. Precision irrigation, for instance, integrates sensors and automation to deliver precise amounts of water and nutrients directly to plant roots. This approach conserves water and promotes optimal crop growth. In addition, combining drip irrigation with fertigation, which mixes fertilizers into the water delivered to roots, ensures even nutrient distribution, minimizes waste, and enhances environmental sustainability.

Method Insights

In terms of method, the market is classified into surface and subsurface. Surface dominated the market in 2023 and accounted for 60.91% share of global revenue. The segment’s growth is attributed to the lower initial investments and ease of use of surface drip irrigation systems. These systems are easier to install and maintain than subsurface systems, making them accessible to a wide range of users, including small-scale and resource-limited farmers. Moreover, the initial investment required for surface drip irrigation is generally lower than that for subsurface systems, making it a more attractive option for farmers looking to adopt efficient irrigation practices.

The subsurface segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 13.1% from 2024 to 2030. The segment’s growth is attributed to the high efficiency of subsurface drip irrigation systems. Subsurface drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone below the soil surface, minimizing evaporation losses and improving water use efficiency. These systems ensure precise water delivery to plant roots, reducing runoff and deep percolation losses, which is especially beneficial in water-scarce regions.

Component Insights

Based on component, the market is classified into drip tubing/drip lines, emitters/drippers, valves, pumps, filters, and others. Drip tubing/drip lines dominated the market in 2023 and accounted for 33.36% share of global revenue. The segment’s growth is attributed to the importance of drip tubing/drip lines in the overall drip irrigation system. Drip lines are distribution lines equipped with built-in emitters that provide water directly to the root zones of plants. Moreover, tubing serves as a distribution line for water to be distributed from the source to the rest of the system. Hence, more reliable drip tubing/drip lines would be required in larger agriculture fields to distribute water efficiently.

The emitters/drippers segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 12.6% from 2024 to 2030. The growing technological advancements in emitter/dripper design drive the segment’s growth. Innovations such as self-cleaning and pressure-compensating emitters reduce clogging and ensure uniform water distribution. Drip emitters regulate the water flow rate from the tubing to the plants. Drip irrigation emitters are available in various types, including micro-sprayers, drippers, and bubblers, each tailored to meet different watering requirements.

Crop Insights

In terms of crop, the market is classified into field crops, fruits and nuts, vegetable crops, and others. Field crops dominated the market in 2023 and accounted for 42.40% share of global revenue. The segment’s growth factors include the high popularity and consumption of field crops, such as wheat, rice, soybeans, and corn. This requires efficient irrigation systems to maximize the agricultural yield of these crops. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in 2023, rice production in the U.S. grew by 30% from 2022. As the global population continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for food production. Drip irrigation helps maximize the productivity of field crops, contributing to food security and the ability to meet rising food demands. 

The fruits & nuts segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 12.5% from 2024 to 2030. The ability of drip irrigation systems to enhance the yield of fruits & nuts drives their adoption for their production. Drip irrigation is the most effective method for irrigating fruit trees, as it optimizes their growth and fruit development. This system delivers water directly to the root zone of the trees, ensuring precise watering and minimizing water wastage. Fruits and nuts often have specific water requirements at different stages of growth. Drip irrigation systems can be precisely controlled to meet these needs, ensuring optimal growth and productivity.

Regional Insights

The drip irrigation market in North America is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.4% from 2024 to 2030. The market’s growth in the region is attributed to the growing adoption of advanced technologies facilitated by a developed technology infrastructure. According to a 2022 article by the Association for Advancing Automation, North America leads in agricultural automation due to significant labor costs and workforce shortages, compelling many agricultural businesses to adopt sensors, robotics, and other automated technologies. This is having a positive impact on the market.

U.S. Drip Irrigation Market Trends

The drip irrigation market in the U.S. dominated the North America market in 2023 and held the largest revenue share. Numerous drip irrigation equipment providers, such as Lindsay Corporation, HUNTER INDUSTRIES INC., and T-L Irrigation, contribute to the country’s market growth. Moreover, significant crop production contributes to the country's need for efficient irrigation systems. According to the USDA, the fruit and tree nuts industry in the U.S. generates about USD 28 billion annually in farm cash receipts.

Asia Pacific Drip Irrigation Market Trends

The drip irrigation market in Asia Pacific dominated the global drip irrigation market and accounted for a revenue share of over 12.7% in 2023. Rapid population growth and urbanization in Asia Pacific countries have intensified water scarcity issues, necessitating efficient water management solutions like drip irrigation. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) agricultural outlook for 2023-2032, Asia Pacific was the largest agricultural crop producer in the world. Hence, efficient irrigation systems are likely to witness a surge in demand to increase yield.

Europe Drip Irrigation Market Trends

The drip irrigation market in Europe is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of 11.0% from 2024 to 2030. This growth can be attributed to growing initiatives by governments and drip irrigation companies to implement these systems. For instance, in July 2022, NETAFIM announced the deployment of its drip irrigation system at the Euston Estate in Suffolk, UK. This initiative aims to ensure the project's long-term stability, enhance yields, and boost carbon storage capabilities.

Key Drip Irrigation Company Insights

Some of the key companies operating in the market include NETAFIM, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., Lindsay Corporation, and The Toro Company, among others.

• NETAFIM, an Israel-based company, offers precision irrigation and sustainable agriculture solutions. The company’s offerings include sprinklers, valves, filters, and drippers & driplines, among others. It has a global presence and operates in over 110 countries, serving a wide range of agricultural sectors, including field crops, orchards, vineyards, and greenhouse agriculture.

Chinadrip Irrigation Equipment (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. and AZUD are some of the emerging companies in the target market.

• Chinadrip Irrigation Equipment (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. is a China-based company offering a wide range of products designed to meet the diverse needs of farmers and gardeners globally. The company’s product portfolio includes drip emitters, drip tape and tubing, filters, and valves, among others. It has a strong international presence, exporting its products to over 70 countries.

Recent Developments

• In October 2023, NETAFIM announced the launch of Toofan, an innovative irrigation technology that promises to revolutionize sustainable farming by covering 25,000 hectares and reaching 35,000 farmers by 2025. Toofan offers 40% stronger drip lines with advanced anti-clogging technology and is 20% more affordable than existing options, ensuring efficient and cost-effective irrigation for farmers of all scales.

• In April 2023, Rivulis announced the acquisition of Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.'s International Irrigation Business. The acquisition, financed by Temasek and newly issued shares to Jain India, along with debt refinancing by leading banks, will enable Rivulis to leverage operational economies of scale and a comprehensive product offering to sustainably address global food and water security challenges.

Drip Irrigation Market Report Scope

Global Drip Irrigation Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global drip irrigation market report based on component, method, crop, and region:

• Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030­)

  • Drip Tubing/Drip Lines

  • Emitters/Drippers

  • Valves

  • Pumps

  • Filters

  • Others

• Method Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Surface

  • Subsurface

• Crop Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Field Crops

  • Fruits and Nuts

  • Vegetable Crops

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • India

    • China

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Australia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

    • UAE

    • South Africa