The Europe drip irrigation market size is projected to reach US$ 4,619.86 million by 2031 from US$ 2,613.69 million in 2023. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 7.4% during 2023–2031. The emergence and adoption of precision irrigation is likely to bring in new trends in the market.
Increasing crop production using limited natural resources such as land and water and government initiatives toward water conservation practices in European agriculture fuel the growth of the Europe drip irrigation market. However, high initial investments and the lack of sustainable electricity to pump water restrain the market growth. On the other hand, the strategic developments in the European irrigation industry are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the Europe drip irrigation market players during the forecast period. Furthermore, the emergence and adoption of precision irrigation and solar-powered drip irrigation systems are expected to be the key trends in the Europe drip irrigation market from 2023 to 2031.
New agricultural methods and technologies allow the cultivation of some types of plants without soil, whereas the development of certain crops requires a lot of water. Agriculture is one of the sectors that consume the most water resources. Irrigation is the main cause of water consumption in agriculture. It helps increase plant productivity but poses a threat to the conservation of water resources. Therefore, the issue of water shortage requires careful consideration of the trade-off between higher agricultural productivity and the deterioration of water resources.
The quantity of irrigation water used in agriculture depends on a number of factors, from cultivation and farming methods and soil characteristics to irrigation techniques. Therefore, agriculture itself offers opportunities for better water management and water savings, both through traditional agricultural practices and new agricultural technologies. Most irrigated agricultural land is in the southern regions of the EU, particularly in Spain and Italy. However, there are areas elsewhere, particularly in the Netherlands, that are equipped for irrigation. Agriculture accounts for 40% of water use in the EU, and most freshwater abstraction is for agriculture used in countries such as Greece, Spain, and Cyprus.
Rising population and increasing disposable income propel the demand for food and bring changes in dietary preferences among people. Agricultural production is limited due to increasing scarcity and deterioration of land, insufficient resources, poor water quality, and lack of investments in sustainable agriculture. Climate change is having an increasing impact on yields and rural livelihoods, while agriculture continues to cause large emissions of greenhouse gases. In Europe, agriculture continues to be affected by several events beyond farmers' control, such as climate and geopolitical crises that continue to put pressure on farmers. These impact productivity, trade, consumer demand, prices, and ultimately, farmer income. Uncertainties for farmers also arise from unpredictable extreme weather, geopolitical conflicts putting pressure on agricultural markets, and economic factors such as still-high interest rates and increased labor costs.
According to the European Food Banks Federation and EUROSTAT-2023 data, in 2022, 8.3% of the European Union (EU) population had difficulty affording a meal containing meat, fish, or vegetarian food every other day. Food affordability is a growing concern amid rising prices due to extreme weather conditions, COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia–Ukraine war. At the same time, almost 65 million tons of food waste (131 kg/inhabitant) were generated in the EU in 2021, with an associated market value estimated at US$ 138.8 billion. In addition, reliance on food banks is increasing. In 2022, European food charities reported a 20–30% increase in demand—a few countries were exempt. In the UK, the number of users of food products has risen to almost 2.9 million (the highest figure on record). At the same time, over a third of Germany's 962 food banks had to adjust to accept new applicants beyond the 2 million people they already help.
Furthermore, owing to the effect of climate change, Europe is drying out quickly. From 2018 to 2023, the region has suffered from severe drought. There is currently a drought warning for more than a quarter of the EU territory, particularly for the Iberian Peninsula. This shows that planetary boundaries for fresh water, including water available to plants, have already exceeded safe limits. Farmers are among the first and hardest hit by the drought. From Portugal to Italy, livestock farming (particularly extensive) and fruit and vegetable production, including cereals, legumes, oilseeds, olives, and grapes, are affected by the ongoing drought. The agricultural sector is the largest water consumer in Europe, especially in spring and summer. As per the European Union data, irrigation accounts for up to 60% of total water use in spring, particularly in southern Europe. In Spain, crop irrigation accounts for more than 85% of water use, with some regions experiencing a net increase of over 60% in recent decades. Thus, there is a rise in demand for crop production with limited resources such as land and water, which, in turn, is driving the demand for drip irrigation across the region.
European farmers are striving to reduce their water consumption through water-saving irrigation technologies while optimizing their energy costs for pumping to ensure long-term economic and environmental sustainability. The companies and government-funded research projects are working on the development of advanced drip irrigation systems.
Such developments by the key companies and government-funded projects toward the development of irrigation systems in Europe are expected to create opportunities for the Europe drip irrigation market from 2023 to 2031.
Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the Europe drip irrigation market analysis are component, type, application, and crop type.
The geographic scope of the Europe drip irrigation market report offers a detailed regional analysis. The Europe drip irrigation market is segmented into Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Russia, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Portugal, and the Rest of Europe. The region has a noteworthy agriculture sector that caters to a majority of the regional food demand. Also, it comprises a few of the major exporters of agriculture products worldwide, including Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and Spain.
Central & Northern European countries, such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the majority of the UK, primarily face droughts, which pose high challenges for the agriculture sector.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2023 | US$ 2,613.69 Million |
| Market Size by 2031 | US$ 4,619.86 Million |
| Global CAGR (2023 - 2031) | 7.4% |
| Historical Data | 2021-2022 |
| Forecast period | 2024-2031 |
| Segments Covered |
By Component
|
| Regions and Countries Covered | Europe
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
The Europe drip irrigation market is evaluated by gathering qualitative and quantitative data post primary and secondary research, which includes important corporate publications, association data, and databases. A few of the developments in the Europe drip irrigation market are listed below:
The “Europe Drip Irrigation Market Size and Forecast (2021–2031)” report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:
In terms of value, the Europe drip irrigation market in United Kingdom stood at US$ 276.82 million in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 442.58 million by 2031; it is expected to register a CAGR of 6.0% from 2023 to 2031.
The rising adoption of solar-powered drip irrigation systems is driving trend in the market. Photovoltaic or solar-powered drip irrigation (PVDI) consists of a photovoltaic (PV) panel or solar generator, soil moisture sensors, and a solar-powered water pump. The pump is equipped with solar cells that are powered by solar energy and supply the plants with water. Solar-powered irrigation pumps are easy to install and maintain. As photovoltaic (PV) panel prices have fallen sharply over the past decade, solar water pumps and drip irrigation systems are widely used by small-scale farmers. This presents a great opportunity for rural, off-grid farms to expand crop production.
Grupo Chamartin S.A; SISTEMA AZUD, S.A.; Metzer; Riegos Iberia Regaber, S.A.; Netafim; Magos Irrigation Systems; DripTech; The Toro Company; Lindsay Corporation; and Rain Bird Corporation are the top key market players operating in the Europe drip irrigation market.
Increasing crop production using limited resources drives the market growth. Rising population and increasing disposable income propel the demand for food and bring changes in dietary preferences among people. Agricultural production is limited due to increasing scarcity and deterioration of land, insufficient resources, poor water quality, and lack of investments in sustainable agriculture.
European farmers are striving to reduce their water consumption through water-saving irrigation technologies while optimizing their energy costs for pumping to ensure long-term economic and environmental sustainability. Companies and government-funded research projects are working on the development of advanced drip irrigation systems.