NDIMA

NDIMA is a tea estate located in Mathira West, in the central highlands of Kenya, at an elevation of 1,869 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the parastatal organisation that manages smallholder tea production across the country. NDIMA produces black tea; no downstream buyers have been publicly recorded in available supply‑chain data.

Terroir & Climate

At 1,869 metres, NDIMA sits in the upper mid‑elevation band typical of Kenya's central tea zones, where the combination of equatorial latitude and altitude tends to moderate temperature swings and sustain relatively consistent growing conditions year‑round. Estates at this elevation in the region generally experience a bimodal rainfall pattern, with long rains from March to May and short rains from October to December, supporting near‑continuous vegetative flush. The volcanic soils of the central highlands are typically well‑drained and rich in minerals, characteristics that have historically favoured tea cultivation in Mathira West and surrounding constituencies.

The proximity to the equator means that day length remains stable throughout the year, while the altitude tends to slow leaf maturation and encourage the accumulation of compounds associated with briskness and colour. Diurnal temperature variation at this elevation is often moderate, and cloud cover during the growing season can reduce direct sun exposure, factors that may influence both yield patterns and the chemical profile of the harvested leaf.

Tea Produced

NDIMA produces black tea. Estates in the Mathira West area at similar elevations typically yield teas processed in the CTC (cut, tear, curl) method, prized in regional and export auctions for their brisk, full‑bodied character and strong colour in the cup. The leaf from this altitude band generally produces liquors with pronounced astringency and malty notes, well suited to blending. As with most Kenyan black teas, cup profiles from this region tend to be clean and robust, though specific sensory attributes will vary with clone selection, processing protocols, and seasonal conditions.

Operator

The Kenya Tea Development Agency manages NDIMA as part of its extensive network of smallholder tea factories. KTDA operates on behalf of small‑scale growers who deliver fresh leaf to centralised processing facilities; the Agency handles production, processing, and marketing, with proceeds distributed to farmer members. In addition to NDIMA, KTDA operates six other estates recorded in this directory, reflecting the scale and geographic spread of its operations across Kenya's tea‑growing regions.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

NDIMA lies at -0.4527, 37.1734 in Mathira West, Kenya. Its 1869 m elevation is the 130th highest of 187 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• MUNUNGA — 5.1 km away · Kerugoya
• RAGATI — 7.0 km away · KARATINA
• KANGAITA — 9.0 km away · Moi Avenue
• Kimunye Tea Factory — 15 km away · Kimunye
• Thumaita — 20 km away · Kenya

Estates at a Similar Altitude to NDIMA

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match NDIMA (1,869 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. NDIMA recorded 1,066 mm in 2025, 56% less than the 2,403 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
Mbogo Tea Factory	Kimatkei - Mbogo Valley Rd, Kenya	1,868 m	2,044 mm	23.4 °C
Pfunda Tea Factory	Rubavu, Rwanda	1,868 m	2,357 mm	21.7 °C
Luckyland Tea Estate	Nuwara Eliya-Uda Pussellawa Rd, Sri Lanka	1,865 m	3,152 mm	19.6 °C
Parkside Tea Estate	Coonoor, India	1,864 m	1,467 mm	19.7 °C
Kalaargold Tea Estate	Kannan Devan Hills, India	1,864 m	2,995 mm	20.4 °C

NDIMA Compared with Kenya

In Kenya, NDIMA is drier than 78% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 69% of the others by elevation; cooler than 89% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets NDIMA against the 186 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.

Measure	NDIMA	Country median	Country range
Elevation	1,869 m	1,992 m	821 to 2,790 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,066 mm	1,518 mm	754 to 2,070 mm
Mean daily high	20.8 °C	22.4 °C	16.8 to 30.2 °C
Mean overnight low	11.8 °C	12.0 °C	8.5 to 19.8 °C

Observed Climate at NDIMA (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for NDIMA’s coordinates recorded 1,066 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was June (140 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.8 °C and overnight lows 11.8 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and July the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,066 mm
Wettest month	June (140 mm)
Driest month	February (16 mm)
Mean daily high	20.8 °C
Mean overnight low	11.8 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is NDIMA located?

NDIMA is in Mathira West, Kenya, at coordinates -0.4527, 37.1734, at an elevation of about 1869 metres.

Who operates NDIMA?

NDIMA is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does NDIMA produce?

NDIMA is recorded as producing black tea.

How much rain does NDIMA receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,066 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in June (140 mm).

How does NDIMA compare with estates at a similar elevation?

NDIMA recorded 1,066 mm in 2025, 56% less rain than the 2,403 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].