Fiji Water is widely recognized as the gold standard for premium bottled water, known for its iconic square bottle and its source in the remote Yaqara Valley. But while the branding emphasizes the natural purity of the South Pacific, the corporate machinery behind the label is rooted in one of America’s most powerful agricultural dynasties.
As of 2026, Fiji Water remains a privately held asset, meaning it is not traded on any public stock exchange. This allows its owners to maintain strict control over its production, marketing, and the “luxury” image that has made it a staple in high-end hotels and restaurants worldwide.
The Short Answer: Who Is the Current Owner of Fiji Water?
For those looking for the bottom line, the who is the owner of fiji water query has a multi-layered answer involving individual billionaires and a massive parent conglomerate:
- Individual Owners: Stewart and Lynda Resnick. This billionaire couple are the sole owners of the brand.
- Parent Company: The Wonderful Company. Headquartered in Los Angeles, this is the private umbrella corporation for the Resnicks’ various business ventures.
- Current President: Alexandre Zigliara (Appointed in late 2025). While the Resnicks own the company, Zigliara was recently named President to lead the brand’s 2026 global operations.
- Ownership Type: Private. The brand is 100% privately owned and is not an affiliate of Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, or Nestlé.
By remaining private in 2026, the Resnicks have successfully avoided the transparency requirements of public companies, allowing Fiji Water to operate as a central piece of their $10.8 billion empire.
The Wonderful Company: Inside the Resnick Empire
Fiji Water is not a standalone business. It is part of The Wonderful Company, a vertically integrated giant that touches nearly half of all American households.
A Diverse Portfolio
If you have ever purchased a bag of pistachios or a bottle of pomegranate juice, you have likely supported the same owners. The Wonderful Company’s 2026 portfolio includes:
- Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds: The largest grower of tree nuts in the world.
- POM Wonderful: The brand that popularized pomegranate juice.
- Wonderful Halos: The dominant brand in the mandarin orange market.
- Teleflora: The world’s largest floral wire service.
- JUSTIN & Landmark Wines: Luxury vineyards in California.
The Power of Vertical Integration
The “Secret Sauce” of the Resnicks’ ownership is that they own the entire supply chain. From the land and the trees to the bottling plants and the shipping logistics, The Wonderful Company manages every step. This model allows Fiji Water to maintain higher profit margins than competitors who must outsource their manufacturing or distribution.
The Origin Story: From David Gilmour to the Resnicks
While the Resnicks made Fiji Water a household name, they did not found the company.
1996: The Discovery
The brand was founded in 1996 by David Gilmour, a Canadian businessman. Gilmour discovered a massive artesian aquifer on the island of Viti Levu. He saw the potential for a “untouched” water brand and spent the next eight years building its initial reputation.
2004: The Acquisition
In 2004, Stewart and Lynda Resnick recognized the potential for Fiji Water to become a luxury lifestyle brand. They purchased the company for an estimated $150 million. At the time, Fiji Water was a niche product; under the Resnicks’ marketing genius (led by Lynda), it was transformed into a global status symbol synonymous with “Earth’s Finest Water.”
2026 Leadership Update: Meet the New President
In late 2025, The Wonderful Company made a major strategic move by appointing Alexandre (Alex) Zigliara as the new President of Fiji Water.
Zigliara took the helm on December 1, 2025, bringing more than two decades of global beverage experience to the brand. His background includes:
- The Coca-Cola Company: 22 years in senior executive roles, including President of Coca-Cola Italy.
- MrBeast Feastables: Most recently, he led Feastables to become the fastest-growing snack brand in the U.S.
- His 2026 Mission: Zigliara is tasked with leading Fiji Water’s worldwide strategy, focusing on expanding the brand’s footprint in over 80 countries while overseeing the “Earth’s Finest Water” sustainability transition.
Under Zigliara’s leadership, the brand has shifted its focus from simple distribution to “lifestyle integration,” ensuring Fiji Water is as much a part of the 2026 digital creator economy as it is a staple of traditional luxury.
The 2025-2026 Sustainability Check: Did They Meet Their Goals?
One of the most persistent criticisms of Fiji Water involves its environmental footprint. To combat this, the owners launched a multi-year initiative to transform their packaging.
The 100% rPET Transformation
In 2019, the Resnicks pledged to transition 100% of their plastic bottles to recycled plastic (rPET) by 2025.
- Status as of 2026: The brand has successfully transitioned its best-selling 500 mL and 330 mL bottles to 100% rPET across its major markets, including the U.S., Canada, UK, and EU.
- The Impact: Because these two sizes account for nearly 70% of Fiji Water’s total volume, this move significantly reduces the company’s reliance on “virgin” (new) plastic.
- Packaging Innovation: In 2026, the brand has also expanded its 2.5-gallon and 5-gallon home/office options, which use up to 76% less plastic compared to equivalent individual bottles.
Carbon Footprint and Shipping
Despite the move to recycled plastic, the reality of shipping water from the remote Yaqara Valley to the rest of the world remains a challenge. To mitigate this, the owners have invested millions in:
- Energy Efficiency: Implementing microturbine energy generation at the Fiji bottling plant.
- Low-Sulphur Fuel: Switching to cleaner fuel standards for global shipping vessels to reduce CO2 emissions.
Global Reach: Where Does the Water Go?
In 2026, Fiji Water is more than an American favorite; it is a global export powerhouse.
- Top Markets: The United States remains the largest consumer, but Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates have seen the fastest growth in 2025–2026.
- Economic Impact: Water is currently Fiji’s most exported product, representing over 5.5% of the country’s total global exports.
- The Competition: In the premium water sector, Fiji Water currently ranks as the 4th largest water exporter globally, competing directly with French giants like Danone (Evian) and Nestlé (S.Pellegrino).
Fiji Government & Tax Controversies: The 2026 Update
The relationship between the owner of fiji water and the Fijian government has historically been one of “tense codependency.” Because the Resnicks own the brand but the government controls the land and water rights, tax disputes have occasionally made global headlines.
The 2010 Tax Standpoint
The most famous conflict occurred in 2010 when the Fijian government attempted to increase the water extraction tax from one-third of a cent to 15 cents per liter. In response, Fiji Water briefly shut down its operations, only to reopen days later after agreeing to the new terms.
2026 Fiscal Transparency
As of January 2026, the geopolitical landscape has shifted toward greater transparency.
- OECD Multilateral Convention: On January 15, 2026, Fiji became the 152nd signatory to the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. This move signals Fiji’s commitment to curbing global tax evasion and reinforces the legitimacy of how the Resnicks manage Fiji Water’s international revenue.
- National Budget Contributions: In the Fiji 2025–2026 National Budget, water resource taxes remain a critical revenue stream for the country, projected to contribute approximately $75.5 million (FJD) to the national treasury. This underscores Fiji Water’s status as a vital economic engine for the island nation.
Philanthropy: The FIJI Water Foundation
Lynda and Stewart Resnick are among the most active philanthropists in the United States, and a significant portion of their giving is directed toward the communities in Fiji where their water is sourced.
The FIJI Water Foundation
Launched in 2007, the foundation is funded entirely by the company and focuses on three core pillars:
- Clean Water Access: Providing water filters and infrastructure to rural villages that do not have access to the artesian aquifer used by the brand.
- Healthcare: Funding mobile medical clinics and health screenings for thousands of residents in the Yaqara Valley.
- Education: Building schools and providing scholarships for the children of the 400+ Fijians employed at the bottling plant.
The $750 Million Caltech Pledge
Beyond the islands, the Resnicks made history with a $750 million pledge to Caltech for environmental sustainability research. In 2026, this research is directly informing Fiji Water’s move toward decomposable plastics and carbon-neutral shipping logistics, bridging the gap between their agricultural empire and global climate solutions.
Conclusion: A Global Powerhouse with Local Roots
Understanding who is the owner of fiji water in 2026 requires looking beyond the bottle. It is a story of two American billionaires, Stewart and Lynda Resnick, who transformed a remote artesian aquifer into a $10 billion agricultural and beverage empire.
Through The Wonderful Company, they have balanced luxury branding with complex geopolitical tax agreements and a high-stakes transition toward environmental sustainability.
Whether seen as a symbol of luxury or a case study in corporate environmentalism, Fiji Water remains a dominant force in the global market, driven by the singular vision of its private owners.
FAQ: Common Questions About Fiji Water Ownership
Is Fiji Water owned by the Fiji Government?
No. While the name “Fiji Water” and its source are Fijian, the brand is 100% privately owned by Stewart and Lynda Resnick through their American company, The Wonderful Company. The Fiji government acts as the regulator and landlord, but it does not own shares in the brand.
Does Coca-Cola or Pepsi own Fiji Water?
No. Fiji Water is a fiercely independent private brand. While Coca-Cola and Pepsi have their own water brands (Dasani and Aquafina), they have no ownership stake in Fiji Water.
Can you buy stock in Fiji Water?
No. Because The Wonderful Company is a private corporation, there is no public stock ticker (like “FIJI”) for investors to buy. The Resnicks have shown no intention of taking the company public as of 2026.
Who is the CEO of Fiji Water right now?
In 2026, Rokoseru Nabalarua continues to serve as the CEO/President based in Fiji, while Alexandre Zigliara manages global operations as the brand’s President under the Resnicks’ leadership.