In short: Imenti Tea Factory is a black-tea producer in Meru, Kenya, operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency and recorded as supplying Sainsbury's.
Imenti Tea Factory is a black-tea manufacturing facility located in Meru, Kenya, at an altitude of 1,883 metres. The factory is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the parastatal organisation that processes leaf from smallholder growers across Kenya's tea-growing regions. Imenti is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, the UK supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,883 metres above sea level on the equator, Imenti lies within the mid-altitude band that characterises much of Kenya's smallholder tea sector. Estates and factories at this elevation in the Central Highlands typically experience a temperate, humid climate moderated by altitude, with reliable rainfall and relatively stable temperatures year-round. These conditions generally support steady vegetative growth without the pronounced dormancy seen at higher latitudes.
The Meru region, on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, tends to offer well-drained volcanic soils and consistent moisture, factors that often favour vigorous leaf development. Mid-altitude sites in this part of Kenya generally yield leaf with good body and colour, though the specific character of any factory's output depends heavily on the horticultural practices of the contributing smallholders and the precision of withering and fermentation during manufacture.
Tea Produced
Imenti processes black tea, the dominant category across Kenya's smallholder sector. Teas manufactured at mid-altitude Kenyan factories in Meru typically deliver a brisk, coppery cup with robust body and a clean, malty character. The equatorial growing environment and CTC manufacturing methods common to KTDA factories generally produce leaf suited to blending, offering colour, strength and reliability rather than the nuanced aromatics associated with artisan whole-leaf production. Buyers prize Kenyan CTC for its consistency and its ability to anchor breakfast and everyday blends.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Imenti's recorded supply relationship with Sainsbury's positions it within the retail supply chain serving one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket groups. Sainsbury's sources Kenyan tea for own-label lines, and the factory's inclusion in that supply base reflects both the scale of KTDA's network and the retailer's emphasis on traceability and certification. The presence of a direct retail buyer indicates that Imenti's output meets the volume, quality and audit standards required by large food multiples.
- Recorded supplier to Sainsbury's
Operator
The Kenya Tea Development Agency manages Imenti as part of a network of smallholder-owned factories across the country. KTDA operates on behalf of more than half a million small-scale growers, providing processing infrastructure, extension services and market access. Six other estates or factories operated by KTDA are recorded in our directory, reflecting the agency's role as the dominant institution in Kenya's tea sector and its model of cooperative ownership and centralised management.
Certifications & Ethics
Imenti holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that audits labour conditions, environmental practices and community engagement across tea supply chains. For buyers, ETP membership signals a commitment to monitoring and improving standards in areas such as worker safety, wages and pesticide use; for the smallholder farmers who supply the factory, it provides a framework for continuous improvement and access to markets that require third-party assurance of ethical sourcing.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Imenti Tea Factory lies at -0.0629, 37.5979 in Meru, Kenya. Its 1883 m elevation is the 128th highest of 187 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Njeru Tea Factory — 14 km away · Meru-Nairobi Highway
- Kinoro Tea Factory — 16 km away · Eastern Province
- Weru Tea Factory — 24 km away · Mariani
- KIONYO — 35 km away · 710
- KOBEL — 35 km away · Kenya
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Imenti Tea Factory
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Imenti Tea Factory (1,883 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Imenti Tea Factory recorded 1,358 mm in 2025, 27% less than the 1,869 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kipkebe \u0026 Keritor Tea Estates | C22 Road, Kenya | 1,886 m | 1,351 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Kenya Tea Development Agency, Rianyamwamu | Kisii, Kenya | 1,880 m | 1,493 mm | 23.8 °C |
| Agalawatte Plantations, Weddemulla | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,888 m | 2,522 mm | 19.7 °C |
| Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,888 m | 2,522 mm | 19.7 °C |
| Burnside Tea Estate | Tamil Nadu, India | 1,876 m | 1,459 mm | 20.2 °C |
Imenti Tea Factory Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, Imenti Tea Factory is drier than 59% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 68% of the others by elevation; cooler than 95% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Imenti Tea Factory against the 186 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Imenti Tea Factory | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,883 m | 1,992 m | 821 to 2,790 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,358 mm | 1,518 mm | 754 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 20.1 °C | 22.4 °C | 16.8 to 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.4 °C | 12.0 °C | 8.5 to 19.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Imenti Tea Factory (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Imenti Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,358 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was March (188 mm) and the driest was February (29 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.1 °C and overnight lows 12.4 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,358 mm |
| Wettest month | March (188 mm) |
| Driest month | February (29 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 20.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Imenti Tea Factory located?
Imenti Tea Factory is in Meru, Kenya, at coordinates -0.0629, 37.5979, at an elevation of about 1883 metres.
Who operates Imenti Tea Factory?
Imenti Tea Factory is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Imenti Tea Factory produce?
Imenti Tea Factory is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Imenti Tea Factory supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Imenti Tea Factory as supplying Sainsbury's.
What certifications does Imenti Tea Factory hold?
Imenti Tea Factory is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Imenti Tea Factory receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,358 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in March (188 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].