NGERE

Ngere is a tea estate located in the Thika region of Kenya, operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency. Situated at 2,111 metres above sea level, the estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying the British supermarket chain Morrisons.

Terroir & Climate

At 2,111 metres, Ngere occupies a high-altitude position that typically influences the pace of leaf development in Kenyan tea cultivation. Estates at this elevation in the Central Highlands region generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lower-lying areas, conditions that tend to slow vegetative growth and can contribute to a denser leaf structure. The equatorial latitude means that day length remains relatively constant throughout the year, while the altitude often brings afternoon cloud cover and mist, factors that usually moderate direct solar exposure.

Thika lies within Kenya's central tea belt, where volcanic soils derived from the surrounding highland geology are common. Estates in this area tend to benefit from well-drained, acidic soils that are generally conducive to Camellia sinensis cultivation. Rainfall distribution in this part of Kenya typically features two wet seasons, which often shape the plucking calendar and influence seasonal variations in leaf chemistry and yield.

Tea Produced

Ngere produces black tea, the dominant category manufactured across Kenya's high-altitude estates. Teas from the Thika region at this elevation typically yield a brisk, bright liquor with the pronounced astringency and coppery colour that characterise much of Kenya's CTC production. Estates in this altitude band often produce leaf that contributes body and intensity to blended breakfast formats, though cup character can vary with season, plucking standard, and processing parameters.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Ngere is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This connection places the estate within the supply chain for own-label retail tea, a segment that typically demands consistent quality, traceability, and competitive pricing. Kenyan estates supplying UK retailers often participate in auction sales or contracted arrangements that prioritise volume and reliability, and the presence of a named British buyer suggests that Ngere's output meets the specifications required for mainstream consumer blends.

• Recorded supplier to  Morrisons

Operator

The Kenya Tea Development Agency operates Ngere alongside six other estates recorded in this directory. KTDA is a major force in Kenyan tea, managing production on behalf of smallholder farmers organised into cooperative factories. The agency's role typically encompasses processing, marketing, and logistics, positioning it as a central intermediary between growers and the international auction system centred in Mombasa. Estates under KTDA management collectively account for a substantial share of Kenya's annual tea exports.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

NGERE lies at -0.8375, 36.8087 in Thika, Kenya. Its 2111 m elevation is the 18th highest of 187 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Mataara Tea Factory — 2.8 km away · Gachege
• GACHEGE — 8.0 km away · Kenya
• Kenya Tea Development Agency, Ndarugu — 9.9 km away · Kiambu
• Gacharage Tea Factory — 12 km away · Gacharage
• Ikumbi Tea Factory — 13 km away · Kaharati-kangari Rd

Estates at a Similar Altitude to NGERE

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match NGERE (2,111 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. NGERE recorded 1,585 mm in 2025, 20% less than the 1,992 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
KAPCHORUA	Nandi Hills, Kenya	2,113 m	1,973 mm	22.0 °C
Lipton Teas and Infusions Kenya, Chagaik Tea Factory	Kericho, Kenya	2,114 m	1,867 mm	22.2 °C
TEZA	Muramvya, Burundi	2,118 m	1,533 mm	20.1 °C
Barnesbeg Tea Estate	Darjeeling, India	2,100 m	2,294 mm	16.9 °C
Potong Tea Garden	Darjeeling, India	2,100 m	2,294 mm	16.9 °C

NGERE Compared with Kenya

In Kenya, NGERE is wetter than 55% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 91% of the others by elevation; cooler than 98% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets NGERE against the 186 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.

Measure	NGERE	Country median	Country range
Elevation	2,111 m	1,990 m	821 to 2,790 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,585 mm	1,518 mm	754 to 2,070 mm
Mean daily high	19.8 °C	22.4 °C	16.8 to 30.2 °C
Mean overnight low	11.3 °C	12.0 °C	8.5 to 19.8 °C

Observed Climate at NGERE (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for NGERE’s coordinates recorded 1,585 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (234 mm) and the driest was February (11 mm). Daytime highs averaged 19.8 °C and overnight lows 11.3 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and August the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,585 mm
Wettest month	April (234 mm)
Driest month	February (11 mm)
Mean daily high	19.8 °C
Mean overnight low	11.3 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is NGERE located?

NGERE is in Thika, Kenya, at coordinates -0.8375, 36.8087, at an elevation of about 2111 metres.

Who operates NGERE?

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

What type of tea does NGERE produce?

NGERE is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does NGERE supply?

Public supplier disclosures record NGERE as supplying Morrisons.

How much rain does NGERE receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,585 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (234 mm).

How does NGERE compare with estates at a similar elevation?

NGERE recorded 1,585 mm in 2025, 20% less rain than the 1,992 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].