Producer

Netafim

HQ I · Israelwebsite ↗

Israeli precision irrigation company (HQ Tel Aviv; 80% owned by Orbia (Mexico) since 2017; founded 1965 on Kibbutz Hatzerim in the Negev desert); invented commercial drip irrigation technology and remains the world's largest drip irrigation company by revenue (~$1B). Netafim's founding story is one of the most important agricultural innovation stories of the 20th century: in 1959, Israeli engineer Simcha Blass observed a large tree growing healthier than neighboring trees in an arid area — and discovered a slow leak in an underground pipe was the cause. Working with Kibbutz Hatzerim, Blass and colleagues developed the first practical drip emitter and founded Netafim in 1965. Drip irrigation — delivering water directly to plant roots at controlled rates — has transformed agriculture in water-scarce regions: Netafim systems are now used on 10+ million hectares across 112 countries, saving an estimated 50% of water vs flood irrigation while increasing yields 20-50%. The same Kibbutz cooperative in the Negev desert that invented drip irrigation now sources its raw material HDPE resin from Dow's Texas crackers and converts it into the precision tubing that feeds the world's most efficient farms.

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Inputs supplied

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Goods downstream

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Facilities

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Stories

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Goods downstream

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What else they do

Business segments

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  • Drip & Precision Irrigation

    80%
  • Digital Agriculture Platforms

    5%
  • Mining & Industrial (Heap Leach)

    10%
  • Greenhouse & Controlled Environment Agriculture (Gakon Netafim)

    5%

Intelligence

What's known

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  • Did you know2026

    Netafim, the company that controls ~30% of the global drip emitter market, is 80% owned by Orbia — a Mexican industrial conglomerate (formerly Mexichem). As of early 2026, Orbia is in active negotiations to sell that 80% stake to a Chinese-led consortium comprising Dayu Conserving Water Group and Hopu Investment Fund, at a valuation of ~$1.2-1.5 billion. If completed, 30% of the global PC emitter market would transfer to Chinese ownership.

    Calcalist Tech (Israel)
  • Chokepoint2026

    Netafim — the Israeli company that invented drip irrigation and controls ~30% of the global PC emitter market — is being acquired by Dayu Irrigation Group, backed by Chinese billionaire Haoyu Wang, in a deal valuing Netafim at ~$1.4B. The transaction is subject to CFIUS review.

    The Jerusalem Post
  • Origin2026

    Netafim was founded in 1965 by Kibbutz Hatzerim in Israel's Negev Desert, commercializing inventor Simcha Blass's drip irrigation patent. Starting as a kibbutz-owned enterprise, it grew to become the world's largest drip irrigation company (30%+ global market share, 2.2 million hectares of installed systems). In 2018, Mexican chemical conglomerate Mexichem (now Orbia) acquired an 80% stake for $1.9 billion. As of early 2026, Orbia is attempting to sell Netafim for approximately $1.2–1.4 billion — below the 2018 acquisition price — following three consecutive years of revenue decline and near-zero operating profit ($6M in 2024). A Chinese irrigation company (Dayu, backed by billionaire Haoyu Wang and Hopu fund) is the leading buyer candidate, which would trigger CFIUS review given Netafim's US market presence (~$250M/year) and military-adjacent technology heritage.

    The Jerusalem Post