In short: Rooibos Limited is a tea estate in South Africa's Western Cape region, operated by Rooibos Limited and recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's.
Rooibos Limited is a tea estate located in South Africa's Western Cape region, at an elevation of 112 metres. The operation is managed by Rooibos Limited and is recorded as supplying Sainsbury's, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. The estate produces both black and green tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 112 metres above sea level, Rooibos Limited occupies low-lying terrain in the Western Cape, a region shaped by Mediterranean-influenced climatic patterns. Estates at this modest elevation in southern Africa typically experience warmer growing conditions than high-altitude counterparts, with less pronounced diurnal temperature variation. Such environments generally favour vigorous vegetative growth and can produce leaf with a different flavour profile to that from cooler, mountainous districts.
The Western Cape's latitude of approximately 32° south places it in a zone where seasonal variation tends to be less extreme than in higher-latitude tea regions, yet sufficient to influence dormancy and flush cycles. Rainfall distribution and the influence of Atlantic maritime air masses generally shape the growing calendar in this part of South Africa, though specific microclimatic factors at any given site will vary. Estates in this region often contend with warmer summers and the need for irrigation management during drier months.
Tea Produced
Rooibos Limited produces both black and green tea. Estates in the Western Cape at lower elevations such as this tend to yield teas with robust body and straightforward character, though the specific cup profile will depend on cultivar selection, processing technique, and seasonal conditions. Black teas from warmer, lower-altitude sites in southern Africa generally exhibit malty or earthy notes, while green teas processed from the same leaf often show a fuller, more vegetal character than their high-grown counterparts. The estate's dual output suggests versatility in post-harvest handling.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Rooibos Limited is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, one of the United Kingdom's largest grocery retailers and a significant buyer in the global tea trade. This relationship indicates that the estate is positioned within the supply chain for a mass-market, quality-conscious retail brand. Sainsbury's sources tea from multiple origins to meet diverse consumer demand, and inclusion in its network suggests that Rooibos Limited meets the volume, consistency, and traceability standards required by major UK supermarkets.
- Recorded supplier to Sainsbury's
Operator
The estate is operated by Rooibos Limited, the company under whose name the property is also registered. No other estates operated by Rooibos Limited are currently recorded in this directory.
Certifications & Ethics
Rooibos Limited holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a membership organisation that works with tea producers to improve working conditions, environmental stewardship, and livelihoods across the supply chain. For buyers, this certification signals a commitment to independent monitoring and continuous improvement in social and environmental standards. For workers, ETP membership typically entails adherence to labour rights, health and safety protocols, and access to grievance mechanisms, subject to periodic third-party audit.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Rooibos Limited lies at -32.1853, 18.8914 in Western Cape, South Africa. Its 112 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 3 estates we map in South Africa. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- I \u0026 M Smith — under 1 km away
- Cape Rooibos — 56 km away
- Southdown Estate — 1908 km away · Chipinge
- Roscommon Estate, Wanganella — 1945 km away · Chimanimani
- Jersey Tea Estate — 2012 km away · Msasa
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Rooibos Limited
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Rooibos Limited (112 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Rooibos Limited recorded 313 mm in 2025, 86% less than the 2,314 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMGURI TEA ESTATE | ASSAM, India | 112 m | 2,141 mm | 29.0 °C |
| Mcleod Russel India Ltd, Boroi Tea Factory | Assam, India | 112 m | 2,866 mm | 28.4 °C |
| Dishan Valley | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 112 m | 2,624 mm | 30.0 °C |
| Co, Op Lanka | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 109 m | 2,624 mm | 30.0 °C |
| Cili Yunwuwang Tea Co,. Ltd. | Hunan Province, China | 103 m | 1,314 mm | 23.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Rooibos Limited (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Rooibos Limited’s coordinates recorded 313 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was June (76 mm) and the driest was February (1 mm). Daytime highs averaged 27.4 °C and overnight lows 13.6 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 313 mm |
| Wettest month | June (76 mm) |
| Driest month | February (1 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 27.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rooibos Limited located?
Rooibos Limited is in Western Cape, South Africa, at coordinates -32.1853, 18.8914, at an elevation of about 112 metres.
Who operates Rooibos Limited?
Rooibos Limited is operated by Rooibos Limited, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Rooibos Limited produce?
Rooibos Limited is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Rooibos Limited supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Rooibos Limited as supplying Sainsbury's.
What certifications does Rooibos Limited hold?
Rooibos Limited is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Rooibos Limited receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 313 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in June (76 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].
