In short: Njunu is a tea estate in Thika, Kenya, operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency at an elevation of 1,500 metres, and is recorded as supplying Morrisons.
Njunu is a tea estate located in the Thika region of Kenya, positioned at an elevation of 1,500 metres. The estate is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the country's principal smallholder tea management organisation. Njunu is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,500 metres above sea level in the Thika district, estates typically experience the moderate temperatures and well-distributed rainfall characteristic of Kenya's central highlands. This elevation generally sits within the range where the tea plant benefits from cooler night-time temperatures, which tend to slow vegetative growth and can encourage the accumulation of compounds associated with flavour complexity.
Estates in this part of Kenya often operate under a bimodal rainfall pattern, with long rains from March to May and short rains from October to December. This seasonal rhythm tends to shape two principal growth flushes each year. The volcanic soils common to the region are typically well-draining and mineral-rich, conditions that generally favour vigorous root development and steady vegetative growth.
Tea Produced
Njunu produces black tea. Kenyan estates at this elevation typically manufacture CTC (crush, tear, curl) black teas known for their briskness, full body, and coppery brightness in the cup. Thika-grown teas often exhibit the forthright, malty character common to central Kenyan production, with a clean astringency that suits blending for breakfast-style infusions and performs well in hard water.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Njunu's recorded supply relationship with Morrisons places the estate within the procurement network of a major British supermarket retailer. Morrisons sources Kenyan tea both for own-label products and blended lines, and estates supplying this channel are typically subject to volume, consistency, and traceability requirements that reflect the expectations of mainstream retail buyers. The presence of Njunu tea in the Morrisons supply chain suggests the estate meets the quality and provenance standards required for direct supermarket supply, a position that distinguishes it from production routed solely through the Mombasa auction.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
The Kenya Tea Development Agency manages smallholder tea production on behalf of over half a million farmers across the country, overseeing cultivation, processing, and marketing through a network of factory companies. KTDA operates six other estates recorded in this directory, reflecting the agency's role as the dominant institutional actor in Kenya's tea sector. Established to support small-scale growers, KTDA provides agronomic extension, manages factories, and consolidates output for sale, giving individual farmers access to international buyers and auction markets.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
NJUNU lies at -1.0388, 37.0834 in Thika, Kenya. Its 1500 m elevation is the joint 174th highest of 186 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- IKUMBI — under 1 km away
- NDUTI — under 1 km away
- Ngorongo Tea Factory Ltd — 32 km away · Kenya
- GACHEGE — 34 km away · Kenya
- Ikumbi Tea Factory — 34 km away · Kaharati-kangari Rd
Estates at a Similar Altitude to NJUNU
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match NJUNU (1,500 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. NJUNU recorded 956 mm in 2025, 52% less than the 1,973 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guderale | Kerala, India | 1,501 m | 3,791 mm | 21.6 °C |
| Thumaita | Kenya, Kenya | 1,499 m | 1,274 mm | 24.0 °C |
| Pita Ratmalie Tea Factory | B147, Sri Lanka | 1,498 m | 2,188 mm | 22.5 °C |
| Mabale Growers Tea Factory Ltd | Fort Portal, Uganda | 1,498 m | 1,236 mm | 25.6 °C |
| Kijura Tea Company | Western, Uganda | 1,502 m | 1,376 mm | 25.8 °C |
NJUNU Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, NJUNU is drier than 88% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 95% of the others by elevation; warmer than 84% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets NJUNU against the 185 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | NJUNU | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,500 m | 1,990 m | 821 to 2,790 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 956 mm | 1,518 mm | 754 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.1 °C | 22.4 °C | 16.8 to 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.6 °C | 12.0 °C | 8.5 to 19.8 °C |
Observed Climate at NJUNU (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for NJUNU’s coordinates recorded 956 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (170 mm) and the driest was February (8 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.1 °C and overnight lows 14.6 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 956 mm |
| Wettest month | April (170 mm) |
| Driest month | February (8 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is NJUNU located?
NJUNU is in Thika, Kenya, at coordinates -1.0388, 37.0834, at an elevation of about 1500 metres.
Who operates NJUNU?
NJUNU is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does NJUNU produce?
NJUNU is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does NJUNU supply?
Public supplier disclosures record NJUNU as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does NJUNU receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 956 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (170 mm).
How does NJUNU compare with estates at a similar elevation?
NJUNU recorded 956 mm in 2025, 52% less rain than the 1,973 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].
