In short: IGEMBE (Kiegoi & Igembe Factory) is a black tea estate in Igembe South, Kenya, operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
IGEMBE—comprising the Kiegoi and Igembe Factory operations—is a black tea estate located in Igembe South, Kenya, at an altitude of 1,008 metres. The estate is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, the country's principal smallholder aggregator and processor, and is recorded as a supplier to the British retailer Morrisons.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,008 metres above sea level and situated almost exactly on the equator, IGEMBE occupies a mid-altitude growing environment typical of Kenya's smallholder tea zones. Estates at this elevation in the region generally experience consistent rainfall and moderate temperatures, conditions that tend to support year-round vegetative growth and relatively rapid flush cycles. The equatorial latitude means day length remains stable throughout the year, which typically reduces the pronounced seasonal dormancy seen in more temperate tea-growing regions.
The combination of moderate altitude and consistent warmth generally favours steady biomass accumulation and a growing cycle that can yield multiple harvests annually. Soils in the broader Igembe South area are often volcanic in origin, which tends to provide good drainage and a nutrient profile conducive to tea cultivation. These environmental factors typically shape a leaf character that processes well into the robust, briskly astringent black teas for which Kenyan estates are widely known in commodity and retail blending markets.
Tea Produced
IGEMBE produces black tea, the dominant output of Kenya's smallholder sector. Estates at this altitude in Kenya typically yield teas with a bright, coppery liquor, brisk astringency, and a clean, malty body suited to blending and breakfast-style infusions. The mid-altitude profile generally supports teas that offer good colour and strength in the cup, characteristics prized by retail buyers seeking consistent, cost-effective base material for branded blends and own-label products.
Supply Chain & Market Position
IGEMBE is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within the retail own-label supply chain, a market segment that demands scale, consistency, and traceability. The fact that Kenya Tea Development Agency channels production from IGEMBE to a named high-street retailer indicates a degree of supply-chain transparency that has become increasingly important to British grocery buyers in recent years, particularly as consumer scrutiny of sourcing practices intensifies.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) is the largest processor and marketer of smallholder tea in Kenya, managing production from hundreds of thousands of small-scale growers across the country. KTDA operates a network of factories that aggregate, process, and market tea on behalf of these farmers. IGEMBE is one of seven estates in our directory recorded as being operated by KTDA, reflecting the agency's central role in Kenya's tea sector and its presence across multiple growing regions.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) lies at 0.1547, 37.9891 in Igembe South, Kenya. Its 1008 m elevation is the joint 182nd highest of 186 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- KIEGOI (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) — under 1 km away
- Kenya Tea Development Agency, Michimikuru — 19 km away · Meru
- KIONYO — 22 km away · 710
- KOBEL — 22 km away · Kenya
- LELAGOIN — 22 km away · Rift Valley
Estates at a Similar Altitude to IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory)
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) (1,008 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) recorded 1,042 mm in 2025, 67% less than the 3,155 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vellaioya Estate | Avissawella - Hatton - Nuwara Eliya Hwy, Sri Lanka | 1,008 m | 4,627 mm | 24.2 °C |
| Goomtee Tea Estate | Darjeeling, India | 1,010 m | 2,805 mm | 22.5 °C |
| Harangala | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,011 m | 4,013 mm | 24.0 °C |
| Singbulli Tea Estate | Singbulli Tea Garden, India | 1,000 m | 2,805 mm | 22.6 °C |
| Namingomba Tea Estates Limited | Thyolo, Malawi | 1,022 m | 1,525 mm | 24.1 °C |
IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) is drier than 81% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 98% of the others by elevation; warmer than 98% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) against the 185 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,008 m | 1,990 m | 821 to 2,790 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,042 mm | 1,518 mm | 754 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 26.7 °C | 22.4 °C | 16.8 to 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.4 °C | 12.0 °C | 8.5 to 19.8 °C |
Observed Climate at IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory)’s coordinates recorded 1,042 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was July (152 mm) and the driest was February (12 mm). Daytime highs averaged 26.7 °C and overnight lows 18.4 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,042 mm |
| Wettest month | July (152 mm) |
| Driest month | February (12 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 26.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) located?
IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) is in Igembe South, Kenya, at coordinates 0.1547, 37.9891, at an elevation of about 1008 metres.
Who operates IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory)?
IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) produce?
IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) supply?
Public supplier disclosures record IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,042 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in July (152 mm).
How does IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) compare with estates at a similar elevation?
IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) recorded 1,042 mm in 2025, 67% less rain than the 3,155 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.
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].
