Chinga Tea Factory

Chinga Tea Factory is a black tea estate located in Othaya, Kenya, at an altitude of 2,040 metres. The estate is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, which manages smallholder tea production across much of Kenya's high-altitude growing zones. Chinga is recorded as supplying Sainsbury's, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains.

Terroir & Climate

At 2,040 metres, Chinga occupies a high-altitude site close to the equator, conditions that typically produce a slower, more even maturation of the tea leaf. Estates at this elevation in Kenya's central highlands generally experience cooler nights and moderate daytime temperatures, a diurnal range that tends to favour the accumulation of flavour compounds and moderate levels of astringency in black tea manufacture.

The Othaya area, lying on the slopes of the Aberdare range, is characterised by volcanic soils and reliable rainfall distribution, factors that often support year-round plucking with periodic quality peaks. High-altitude Kenyan estates in this latitude band tend to produce leaf with good body and brightness, though specific agroclimatic outcomes depend on microclimatic variation and estate management practices.

Tea Produced

Chinga produces black tea, the dominant style from Kenya's high-altitude zones. Estates in Othaya at similar elevations typically yield a cup with brisk character, moderate astringency, and a coppery infusion. The altitude and equatorial position often contribute to teas that perform well in blends, valued for consistency and strength rather than pronounced aromatic complexity. Kenyan high-grown blacks from this region generally suit both straight consumption and blending for retail markets seeking reliable, full-bodied profiles.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Chinga's recorded supply relationship with Sainsbury's places it within a direct or near-direct supply chain serving one of the United Kingdom's largest grocery retailers. Sainsbury's sources significant volumes of Kenyan tea, and Chinga's inclusion in that supply base indicates consistent quality and traceability standards. The factory's certification under the Ethical Tea Partnership likely underpins this commercial relationship, given major UK retailers' increasing emphasis on verified social and environmental compliance in their tea sourcing.

• Recorded supplier to  Sainsbury's

Operator

Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) is the largest tea operator in Kenya, managing factory and extension services on behalf of hundreds of thousands of smallholder growers. KTDA operates on a model in which smallholders deliver green leaf to centralised factories for processing and marketing; Chinga is one such factory. The agency operates six other estates recorded in our directory, reflecting its extensive footprint across Kenya's tea-growing districts. KTDA's scale and governance structure make it a significant force in global black tea supply, particularly in the auction system centred on Mombasa.

Certifications & Ethics

Chinga Tea Factory holds certification under the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that monitors labour conditions, environmental practices, and community welfare on certified estates. For buyers, this certification provides independent assurance of compliance with standards covering wages, working hours, health and safety, and agrochemical use. For workers and smallholder suppliers, Ethical Tea Partnership membership typically entails regular audits and a framework for grievance mechanisms, though outcomes depend on effective implementation and enforcement at estate level.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Chinga Tea Factory lies at -0.6025, 36.8992 in Othaya, Kenya. Its 2040 m elevation is the 42nd highest of 187 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• GATUNGURU — 4.0 km away · Mathioya
• GITUGI — 7.6 km away
• Iriaini Tea Factory Company Ltd — 7.6 km away
• KANYENYAINI — 8.7 km away · KANGEMA
• Kanyenya-Ini Tea Factory Company Ltd — 12 km away · KANGEMA

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Chinga Tea Factory

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Chinga Tea Factory (2,040 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Chinga Tea Factory recorded 1,640 mm in 2025, 8% less than the 1,775 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
Kapsumbeiywa	Kapsumbeiywo Road, Kenya	2,045 m	1,510 mm	22.5 °C
Lipton Teas and Infusions Kenya, Kimugu Tea Factory	Kericho, Kenya	2,046 m	1,919 mm	22.0 °C
DUNSANDLE ESTATE	TAMIL NADU, India	2,054 m	1,941 mm	20.5 °C
Sorwathe S.A.R.L.	Kinihira Sector, Rwanda	2,026 m	1,213 mm	22.0 °C
Marybong Tea Estate	West Bengal, India	2,016 m	2,294 mm	17.7 °C

Chinga Tea Factory Compared with Kenya

In Kenya, Chinga Tea Factory is wetter than 58% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 78% of the others by elevation; cooler than 96% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Chinga 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	Chinga Tea Factory	Country median	Country range
Elevation	2,040 m	1,990 m	821 to 2,790 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,640 mm	1,518 mm	754 to 2,070 mm
Mean daily high	19.9 °C	22.4 °C	16.8 to 30.2 °C
Mean overnight low	11.4 °C	12.0 °C	8.5 to 19.8 °C

Observed Climate at Chinga Tea Factory (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Chinga Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,640 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (239 mm) and the driest was February (23 mm). Daytime highs averaged 19.9 °C and overnight lows 11.4 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and August the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,640 mm
Wettest month	October (239 mm)
Driest month	February (23 mm)
Mean daily high	19.9 °C
Mean overnight low	11.4 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Chinga Tea Factory located?

Chinga Tea Factory is in Othaya, Kenya, at coordinates -0.6025, 36.8992, at an elevation of about 2040 metres.

Who operates Chinga Tea Factory?

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

What type of tea does Chinga Tea Factory produce?

Chinga Tea Factory is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does Chinga Tea Factory supply?

Public supplier disclosures record Chinga Tea Factory as supplying Sainsbury's.

What certifications does Chinga Tea Factory hold?

Chinga Tea Factory is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.

How much rain does Chinga Tea Factory receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,640 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (239 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].