In short: IJENDA is a tea estate in Bujumbura Rural, Burundi, operated by Office Du Thé Du Burundi and recorded as a supplier to Morrisons.
IJENDA is a tea estate located in Bujumbura Rural province, Burundi, at an altitude of 2,175 metres. It is operated by Office Du Thé Du Burundi, the parastatal body that oversees much of Burundi's tea sector. The estate is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,175 metres above sea level, IJENDA ranks among the highest-altitude tea-growing sites in Burundi and indeed in Africa. Estates at this elevation typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than those closer to sea level, conditions that tend to slow vegetative growth and can favour the accumulation of flavour compounds in the leaf. The latitude—just over three degrees south of the equator—generally ensures year-round warmth and relatively stable day length, though the interplay of altitude and proximity to the equator often produces distinct wet and dry seasons that shape the picking calendar.
Bujumbura Rural lies in the western highlands of Burundi, a region where volcanic soils and high-altitude plateaux have historically supported tea cultivation. Rainfall patterns in this part of the country tend to be bimodal, with peaks typically occurring in the long rains of early spring and the shorter rains of late autumn. These cycles generally influence flush intensity and leaf chemistry, though specific yields and quality outcomes depend on a complex of factors including cultivar, husbandry, and processing discipline.
Tea Produced
IJENDA produces both black and green teas. Black teas from high-altitude Burundian estates often exhibit a brisk, clean character with moderate body and a brightness that reflects the cooler growing conditions; some lots show floral or slightly grassy notes. Green tea production in the region tends to yield a lighter cup with vegetal tones, though exact profiles depend heavily on plucking standard and processing technique. The estate's elevation and equatorial position may favour teas with good aromatic clarity, though commercial-grade leaf can vary in consistency.
Supply Chain & Market Position
IJENDA is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket groups. This connection places the estate within a major retail supply chain, suggesting that at least some of its output meets the volume, traceability, and consistency requirements of a large-scale buyer. Supplying a UK supermarket typically requires adherence to buyer codes of conduct and audit protocols, even in the absence of third-party certifications, and points to IJENDA's role as a contributor to the commodity and branded tea segments of the European market.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
Office Du Thé Du Burundi is the state-owned enterprise responsible for the operation and coordination of tea production across much of Burundi. As a parastatal operator, it plays a central role in the country's tea economy, managing estates, processing infrastructure, and often acting as an intermediary in export arrangements. In addition to IJENDA, the company operates at least two other estates recorded in industry directories, reflecting its position as a significant landholder and producer within the Burundian tea sector.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
IJENDA lies at -3.4812, 29.5669 in Bujumbura Rural, Burundi. Its 2175 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 4 estates we map in Burundi. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- TORA — 25 km away · Unconfirmed
- TEZA — 29 km away · Muramvya
- RWEGURA — 63 km away · Kayanza
- NSHILI KIVU — 84 km away · Kigali
- MABAYI — 92 km away · Cibitoke
Observed Climate at IJENDA (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for IJENDA’s coordinates recorded 1,132 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was January (160 mm) and the driest was July (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 19.8 °C and overnight lows 11.9 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and May the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,132 mm |
| Wettest month | January (160 mm) |
| Driest month | July (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 19.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is IJENDA located?
IJENDA is in Bujumbura Rural, Burundi, at coordinates -3.4812, 29.5669, at an elevation of about 2175 metres.
Who operates IJENDA?
IJENDA is operated by Office Du The Du Burundi, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does IJENDA produce?
IJENDA is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does IJENDA supply?
Public supplier disclosures record IJENDA as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does IJENDA receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,132 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in January (160 mm).
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].