In short: Rwegura is a tea estate in Kayanza province, Burundi, operated by Office Du Thé Du Burundi and recorded as a supplier to Morrisons.
Rwegura is a tea estate located in Kayanza province, Burundi, at an elevation of 2,217 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Office Du Thé Du Burundi, the country's parastatal tea authority. Rwegura is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain, and produces both black and green tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,217 metres, Rwegura ranks among the highest-altitude tea estates in commercial production globally. Estates at this elevation in equatorial East Africa typically experience significant diurnal temperature variation, with cool nights slowing vegetative growth and often contributing to increased concentration of flavour compounds in the leaf. The latitude of approximately 3°S places Rwegura close to the equator, where daylight hours remain relatively stable year-round, generally supporting continuous cropping cycles rather than the distinct dormancy periods seen in subtropical tea regions.
High-altitude sites in Burundi's mountainous provinces tend to receive substantial rainfall, often distributed across two rainy seasons, and persistent cloud cover at these elevations generally moderates temperature extremes. Such conditions typically favour slower leaf maturation, which is often associated with the development of complex biochemistry in the plucked material. Soils in the volcanic highlands of the Great Rift Valley are generally acidic and well-drained, characteristics that tend to suit tea cultivation.
Tea Produced
Rwegura produces both black and green tea. Black teas from high-altitude East African estates typically exhibit brisk, bright liquor with pronounced astringency and, in some cases, floral or fruity aromatics that reflect slower oxidation at cooler temperatures. Green teas from the region are less commonly seen in export markets but generally offer clean, grassy character when processed with minimal oxidation. The extended growing period at this elevation often contributes to leaf chemistry that can yield layered, persistent flavours in the cup, though specific sensory profiles depend heavily on plucking standards, processing protocols, and seasonal variation.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Rwegura is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket chains. This relationship suggests that at least a portion of the estate's output enters mainstream retail blends, where Burundian origin is sometimes highlighted as part of East African sourcing. Direct supply arrangements between African estates and major UK grocers are relatively uncommon, indicating that Rwegura's production meets the volume, consistency, and traceability standards required for such partnerships.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
Office Du Thé Du Burundi is the state-owned enterprise responsible for the majority of Burundi's tea sector, overseeing production, processing, and export. In addition to Rwegura, the organisation operates two other estates recorded in our directory, making it the dominant institutional actor in Burundian tea. The parastatal model reflects the sector's historical development, in which government coordination has played a central role in infrastructure, quality control, and access to export markets.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
RWEGURA lies at -2.9175, 29.5288 in Kayanza, Burundi. Its 2217 m elevation is the highest of 4 estates we map in Burundi. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- NSHILI KIVU — 23 km away · Kigali
- TEZA — 33 km away · Muramvya
- Muganza - Kivu — 34 km away · Nyaruguru
- MABAYI — 39 km away · Cibitoke
- TORA — 55 km away · Unconfirmed
Observed Climate at RWEGURA (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for RWEGURA’s coordinates recorded 1,477 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was March (248 mm) and the driest was July (26 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.4 °C and overnight lows 11.7 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and May the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,477 mm |
| Wettest month | March (248 mm) |
| Driest month | July (26 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 20.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is RWEGURA located?
RWEGURA is in Kayanza, Burundi, at coordinates -2.9175, 29.5288, at an elevation of about 2217 metres.
Who operates RWEGURA?
RWEGURA is operated by Office Du The Du Burundi, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does RWEGURA produce?
RWEGURA is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does RWEGURA supply?
Public supplier disclosures record RWEGURA as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does RWEGURA receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,477 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in March (248 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].