In short: Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei is a black tea estate in Kericho, Kenya, at 1,915 metres, operated by Kipchimchim Group and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei is a black tea estate situated in the Kericho region of Kenya, at an altitude of 1,915 metres. The estate is operated by Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei, and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major buyer in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,915 metres above sea level, the estate sits within the high-altitude belt of Kenya's western highlands, where the equatorial position combines with elevation to create a year-round growing environment. Estates at this altitude in Kericho typically experience moderate temperatures and consistent rainfall distributed across two main wet seasons, conditions that generally favour steady vegetative growth and the development of chemical complexity in the leaf.
The interplay of ultraviolet exposure, cool nights, and well-drained volcanic soils characteristic of the region tends to slow leaf maturation, a factor often associated with higher polyphenol accumulation. While individual estates vary in microclimate and management, Kericho's combination of latitude, elevation, and rainfall pattern has historically supported the production of bright, brisk teas with good colour and body.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. Teas from Kericho estates at this elevation typically yield a bright, coppery liquor with a brisk, astringent character and pronounced body. The cup profile generally features a clean, malty backbone with moderate pungency, qualities that have made Kenyan high-grown blacks a staple in blended breakfast teas and a valued component for colour and strength in international markets.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest vertically integrated tea companies with extensive sourcing, blending, and distribution operations. Finlays' presence as a buyer suggests the estate's output meets the quality and volume standards required for inclusion in commercial blends and branded products destined for both retail and foodservice channels internationally. This relationship places Kipchimchim Group within the supply chain of a major multinational, reflecting its role as a contributor to the Kenyan export sector's bulk and value-added streams.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei. No other estates under this operator are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei lies at -0.5131, 35.2294 in Kericho, Kenya. Its 1915 m elevation is the 42nd highest of 44 estates we map in Kericho. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Kapset Tea Factory — 6.1 km away · Chepseon Boito-Kapset Rd Kipkelion
- Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. — 8.9 km away · C23
- KONOITO — 8.9 km away · LITEIN
- TEA-MAX FRESH — 8.9 km away · LITEIN
- Rorok Factory — 9.6 km away · Kimare Road
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei (1,915 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei recorded 1,535 mm in 2025, 35% less than the 2,353 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havukal Estate | Kotagiri, India | 1,915 m | 1,459 mm | 20.0 °C |
| Chepkumia Tea Factory | Nandi, Kenya | 1,912 m | 2,070 mm | 23.2 °C |
| Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,912 m | 3,152 mm | 19.3 °C |
| Southtee Handel | Ximeng, China | 1,907 m | 2,285 mm | 20.0 °C |
| Udapussellawa Plantations, Court Lodge | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,924 m | 2,798 mm | 19.1 °C |
Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei Compared with Kericho
In Kericho, Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei is drier than 93% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 95% of the others by elevation; warmer than 95% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei against the 43 other estates we map in Kericho, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,915 m | 2,010 m | 1,836 to 2,437 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,535 mm | 1,984 mm | 1,021 to 1,984 mm |
| Mean daily high | 23.4 °C | 22.4 °C | 20.5 to 25.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.1 °C | 11.8 °C | 9.7 to 12.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei’s coordinates recorded 1,535 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (263 mm) and the driest was February (23 mm). Daytime highs averaged 23.4 °C and overnight lows 12.1 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,535 mm |
| Wettest month | October (263 mm) |
| Driest month | February (23 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 23.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei located?
Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei is in Kericho, Kenya, at coordinates -0.5131, 35.2294, at an elevation of about 1915 metres.
Who operates Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei?
Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei is operated by Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei produce?
Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,535 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (263 mm).
How does Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei recorded 1,535 mm in 2025, 35% less rain than the 2,353 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].
