Mulindi Tea Factory

Mulindi Tea Factory is a tea estate located in Mu Maya, Rwanda, operated by Mulindi Tea Co Ltd. Situated at an altitude of 1,990 metres, the estate is known to supply Finlays and holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership.

Terroir & Climate

At 1,990 metres above sea level and positioned just south of the equator, Mulindi Tea Factory occupies an elevation that tends to favour slower leaf maturation and the development of more complex biochemical compounds. Estates at this altitude in Rwanda's volcanic soils generally experience a temperate microclimate, with cooler nights and warm days that moderate the pace of photosynthesis and encourage the accumulation of polyphenols and amino acids in the leaf.

The Mu Maya region typically benefits from the bimodal rainfall pattern characteristic of much of Rwanda's tea-growing belt, with two distinct wet seasons that sustain year-round plucking. This altitude and latitude combination often supports a growing cycle in which flush periods are well-defined, allowing for consistent quality in both black and green tea production without the extremes of monsoon or dormancy that shape production elsewhere.

Tea Produced

Mulindi Tea Factory produces both black and green teas. Rwandan estates at this elevation typically yield black teas with a bright, clean character and moderate astringency, often displaying a natural sweetness and floral or grassy notes that reflect the high-altitude terroir. Green teas from such altitudes tend to be delicate and vegetal, with a fresh, crisp profile that benefits from the slower leaf growth and cooler temperatures common at nearly 2,000 metres.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Mulindi Tea Factory is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest vertically integrated tea businesses with a significant presence in both commodity and speciality markets. This relationship indicates that the estate's output meets the quality and traceability standards required by a major global buyer, positioning Mulindi within the mainstream international supply chain for Rwandan tea. The connection to Finlays also suggests that the estate's production may reach a wide range of end markets, from food-service blends to retail brands across multiple continents.

• Recorded supplier to  Finlays

Operator

The estate is operated by Mulindi Tea Co Ltd., which does not appear to manage other tea estates recorded in this directory. This structure suggests a focused, single-site operation rather than a diversified portfolio model.

Certifications & Ethics

Mulindi Tea Factory holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a membership organisation that requires estates to meet independently audited standards on labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. For buyers, this certification provides third-party assurance of responsible sourcing practices; for workers, it is intended to support fair treatment, safe working conditions, and mechanisms for grievance and remedy.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Mulindi Tea Factory lies at -1.4782, 30.0362 in Mu Maya, Rwanda. Its 1990 m elevation is the 8th highest of 18 estates we map in Rwanda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• MUSHUBI — 21 km away · GICUMBI
• Sorwathe S.A.R.L. — 22 km away · Kinihira Sector
• Sorwathe Tea Estate — 23 km away · Kimihurura
• Rwanda Mountain Tea — 48 km away · KG 438 St
• RUKERI ORGANIC — 52 km away · B.P Kigali

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Mulindi Tea Factory

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Mulindi Tea Factory (1,990 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Mulindi Tea Factory recorded 1,131 mm in 2025, 46% less than the 2,110 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
Nandi Tea Outgrowers	Nandi Hills - Kapsabet Rd, Kenya	1,990 m	1,660 mm	22.8 °C
CHEBUT	Kapsabet, Kenya	1,989 m	1,710 mm	22.6 °C
Hubei Wuhan Jiarun Huiming Tea Co., Ltd.	Yongde County, China	2,002 m	2,779 mm	19.9 °C
Chokanad Tea Estate	Kannan Devan Hills, India	1,972 m	2,995 mm	19.7 °C
Tea Studio	Kattabettu, India	2,010 m	1,405 mm	19.9 °C

Mulindi Tea Factory Compared with Rwanda

In Rwanda, Mulindi Tea Factory is drier than 82% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 59% of the others by elevation; warmer than 59% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Mulindi 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	Mulindi Tea Factory	Country median	Country range
Elevation	1,990 m	1,953 m	1,413 to 2,379 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,131 mm	1,213 mm	1,053 to 2,889 mm
Mean daily high	22.2 °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 Mulindi Tea Factory (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Mulindi Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,131 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was March (166 mm) and the driest was July (20 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.2 °C and overnight lows 12.5 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and May the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,131 mm
Wettest month	March (166 mm)
Driest month	July (20 mm)
Mean daily high	22.2 °C
Mean overnight low	12.5 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mulindi Tea Factory located?

Mulindi Tea Factory is in Mu Maya, Rwanda, at coordinates -1.4782, 30.0362, at an elevation of about 1990 metres.

Who operates Mulindi Tea Factory?

Mulindi Tea Factory is operated by Mulindi Tea Co Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does Mulindi Tea Factory produce?

Mulindi Tea Factory is recorded as producing black and green tea.

Which buyers does Mulindi Tea Factory supply?

Public supplier disclosures record Mulindi Tea Factory as supplying Finlays.

What certifications does Mulindi Tea Factory hold?

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

How much rain does Mulindi Tea Factory receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,131 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in March (166 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].