In short: Satemwa Tea Estates Limited is a tea estate in Thyolo, Malawi, at 974 metres elevation, producing black and green teas and known to supply Finlays.
Satemwa Tea Estates Limited operates in the Thyolo region of Malawi, at an elevation of 974 metres. The estate produces both black and green teas and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, the London-headquartered tea and ingredients group.
Terroir & Climate
At 974 metres in southern Malawi, Satemwa sits in the mid-elevation band characteristic of Thyolo's tea-growing country. Estates at this altitude typically experience moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall patterns, conditions that tend to support steady vegetative growth across much of the year. The subtropical latitude of Thyolo generally permits year-round plucking, though seasonal variation in rainfall and temperature can influence flush intensity and leaf chemistry.
Mid-elevation sites in this region often produce leaf with moderate astringency and body, shaped by the balance between sunlight intensity, temperature, and moisture. The soils in Thyolo are generally well-drained, and the combination of altitude and latitude tends to yield teas with a straightforward cup character rather than the high-grown delicacy found at significantly higher elevations.
Tea Produced
Satemwa produces both black and green teas. Black teas from Thyolo estates at this elevation typically offer a robust, malty character with moderate astringency and good body, making them well-suited to blending. Green teas from the region tend to be less common but can display a fresh, grassy profile when processed with care. The cup character from mid-elevation Malawian estates is generally valued for consistency and strength rather than aromatic complexity.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Satemwa is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea packers and ingredient suppliers. This connection places the estate within a supply chain serving international blenders and private-label markets, where volume, consistency, and competitive pricing are typically key criteria. Finlays sources from estates across East Africa and beyond, and inclusion in its supplier base suggests Satemwa meets the technical and commercial standards required for large-scale blending programmes.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
Satemwa Tea Estates Limited operates the estate. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in the directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa lies at -16.0702, 35.1070 in Thyolo, Malawi. Its 974 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 7 estates we map in Thyolo. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Namingomba Tea Estates Limited — 3.6 km away
- CHAWANI — 3.6 km away
- Makandi Tea \u0026 Coffee Estates — 3.6 km away
- MBELUKO — 3.6 km away
- Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Magara (Tii) — 3.6 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa (974 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa recorded 1,525 mm in 2025, 37% less than the 2,433 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balangoda Plantations, Debedde | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 972 m | 2,709 mm | 26.2 °C |
| Ambootia | West Bengal, India | 979 m | 2,805 mm | 22.6 °C |
| Bah Butong Estate | Simalungun Regency, Indonesia | 979 m | 2,437 mm | 25.5 °C |
| Pussellawa Plantations, Rothschild | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 983 m | 2,526 mm | 24.9 °C |
| Yixian Qingye Tea Farm Co. Ltd - Refining and primary processing | Menglian County, China | 964 m | 1,688 mm | 26.6 °C |
Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa Compared with Thyolo
In Thyolo, Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa is the driest of the 7 estates by 2025 rainfall; higher than 83% of the others by elevation; the coolest of the 7 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa against the 6 other estates we map in Thyolo, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 974 m | 906 m | 891 to 1,022 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,525 mm | 1,525 mm | 1,525 to 1,655 mm |
| Mean daily high | 24.1 °C | 24.1 °C | 24.1 to 24.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.2 °C | 16.4 °C | 16.2 to 16.7 °C |
Observed Climate at Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa’s coordinates recorded 1,525 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was December (342 mm) and the driest was September (10 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.1 °C and overnight lows 16.2 °C over the year; January was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,525 mm |
| Wettest month | December (342 mm) |
| Driest month | September (10 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 24.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.2 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa located?
Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa is in Thyolo, Malawi, at coordinates -16.0702, 35.1070, at an elevation of about 974 metres.
Who operates Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa?
Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa is operated by Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa produce?
Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,525 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in December (342 mm).
How does Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa recorded 1,525 mm in 2025, 37% less rain than the 2,433 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].
