In short: Shagasha Tea Factory is a tea-processing facility in Gisuma, Rwanda, operated by Shagasha Tea Co Ltd. at an altitude of 1,964 metres, and is known to supply Finlays.
Shagasha Tea Factory is a tea-processing facility located in the Gisuma region of Rwanda, at an altitude of 1,964 metres above sea level. The factory is operated by Shagasha Tea Co Ltd. and produces both black and green tea. It is known to supply Finlays, one of the major international tea and extract companies.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,964 metres, Shagasha occupies a high-altitude site in Rwanda's central-western tea-growing belt, where estates typically benefit from moderate temperatures, consistent cloud cover, and well-distributed rainfall throughout much of the year. This elevation tends to slow leaf development, which in turn is often associated with greater accumulation of flavour compounds and a more delicate vegetal character in the flush. Estates in this latitude and altitude band generally experience less extreme seasonal variation than lowland zones, supporting relatively steady year-round production.
The region's volcanic soils, common to much of Rwanda's tea country, are generally well-drained and rich in minerals, conditions that tend to favour vigorous growth when managed properly. Diurnal temperature variation at this elevation is typically moderate, which can contribute to complexity in the leaf. While microclimates vary across Gisuma, the altitude and equatorial latitude together tend to produce a growing environment distinct from both the hotter low-elevation plains and the cooler peaks further east.
Tea Produced
Shagasha produces both black and green tea. Rwandan black teas from this altitude range typically offer a clean, brisk cup with moderate body and a gentle astringency, often displaying bright, slightly floral or grassy notes rather than the heavier malt characteristics of lower-grown or Assam-type teas. Green teas processed at high-altitude Rwandan factories tend to show fresh, vegetal flavours with a smooth, sometimes sweet character and limited bitterness, reflecting the slower leaf growth common at elevations approaching 2,000 metres. The factory's output is likely oriented toward dependable, clean-tasting lots suited to blending and commercial markets.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Shagasha Tea Factory supplies Finlays, a vertically integrated company with plantations, processing facilities, and blending operations serving major retail and food-service brands worldwide. This relationship indicates that Shagasha's production is likely directed into international supply chains where consistency, traceability, and certified standards are valued. Finlays' presence as a buyer suggests the estate's output meets the specifications required for blended products and potentially for brands seeking Ethical Tea Partnership certification in their supply base.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
Shagasha Tea Factory is operated by Shagasha Tea Co Ltd., which does not operate any other estates recorded in this directory. The company appears to focus its operations on this single processing facility in Gisuma.
Certifications & Ethics
Shagasha Tea Factory is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership, a membership organisation that works to improve social, environmental, and economic conditions on tea estates and in their surrounding communities. For buyers, this certification provides assurance that the estate is subject to regular monitoring against the ETP's standards, which cover labour rights, health and safety, environmental stewardship, and management practices. For workers and smallholders in the supply chain, ETP engagement is intended to support better working conditions, training, and access to grievance mechanisms.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Shagasha Tea Factory lies at -2.4833, 28.9632 in Gisuma, Rwanda. Its 1964 m elevation is the 9th highest of 18 estates we map in Rwanda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Gisakura Tea Estate — 14 km away · West
- Gisovu Tea Factory — 25 km away · Gisovu
- Cyato Tea Plantation — 25 km away · Colline Mpage
- MABAYI — 41 km away · Cibitoke
- Muganza - Kivu — 58 km away · Nyaruguru
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Shagasha Tea Factory
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Shagasha Tea Factory (1,964 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Shagasha Tea Factory recorded 1,875 mm in 2025, 16% more than the 1,615 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIBWELE | Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,963 m | 1,215 mm | 19.4 °C |
| Concordia Tea Estate | Kandapola, Sri Lanka | 1,962 m | 2,796 mm | 18.9 °C |
| Glendale Estate | Coonoor, India | 1,961 m | 1,459 mm | 19.7 °C |
| Kymulot Factory | Bomet - Tenwek - Silibwet Rd, Kenya | 1,967 m | 1,088 mm | 23.3 °C |
| GATUNGURU | Mathioya, Kenya | 1,961 m | 1,518 mm | 20.9 °C |
Shagasha Tea Factory Compared with Rwanda
In Rwanda, Shagasha Tea Factory is wetter than 76% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 53% of the others by elevation; cooler than 65% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Shagasha Tea Factory against the 17 other estates we map in Rwanda, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Shagasha Tea Factory | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,964 m | 1,953 m | 1,413 to 2,379 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,875 mm | 1,199 mm | 1,053 to 2,889 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.2 °C | 22.0 °C | 18.1 to 26.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C | 12.8 °C | 9.6 to 15.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Shagasha Tea Factory (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Shagasha Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,875 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was December (262 mm) and the driest was July (25 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.2 °C and overnight lows 12.5 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and May the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,875 mm |
| Wettest month | December (262 mm) |
| Driest month | July (25 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shagasha Tea Factory located?
Shagasha Tea Factory is in Gisuma, Rwanda, at coordinates -2.4833, 28.9632, at an elevation of about 1964 metres.
Who operates Shagasha Tea Factory?
Shagasha Tea Factory is operated by Shagasha Tea Co Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Shagasha Tea Factory produce?
Shagasha Tea Factory is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Shagasha Tea Factory supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Shagasha Tea Factory as supplying Finlays.
What certifications does Shagasha Tea Factory hold?
Shagasha Tea Factory is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Shagasha Tea Factory receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,875 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in December (262 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].
