LUGODA

Lugoda is a tea estate located in the Iringa region of Tanzania, standing at approximately 1,963 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Unilever Tea Tanzania, part of the multinational Unilever group, and is recorded as supplying the British supermarket chain Morrisons. The estate produces both black and green teas.

Terroir & Climate

At close to 2,000 metres elevation, Lugoda sits within the high-altitude band typical of Tanzania's southern highlands tea-growing zones. Estates at this elevation generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lower-altitude counterparts, conditions that tend to slow leaf development and can encourage the accumulation of flavour compounds. The Iringa region's position in the southern interior typically brings a monsoon-influenced climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons, though local topography and aspect introduce considerable variation.

High-altitude equatorial estates often contend with intense solar radiation tempered by cooler air, a combination that can favour the synthesis of polyphenols and amino acids in the leaf. Such conditions tend to support both orthodox black tea manufacture and, increasingly, the production of green teas where fresh, vegetal character is prized. The interplay of altitude, latitude and rainfall distribution across the season shapes the rhythm of the plucking calendar and the broad parameters of cup quality, though specific outcomes remain a function of horticultural and factory practice.

Tea Produced

Lugoda produces both black and green teas. Black teas from high-altitude Tanzanian estates typically offer a bright, brisk liquor with moderate body and a clean, sometimes slightly dried-fruit character; the cooler growing conditions at elevations around 2,000 metres often lend a certain refinement relative to lower-grown leaf. Green teas from this altitude band can exhibit fresh, vegetal notes and a gentle astringency, though cup profile depends heavily on plucking standards and processing technique. The estate's dual production suggests a portfolio capable of serving both traditional black-tea markets and the growing demand for African-origin green leaf.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Lugoda is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within a large-scale retail supply chain, where volume, consistency and traceability are typically prioritised. Unilever's role as operator suggests integration into a multinational procurement and blending network, with the Morrisons supply likely representing one strand of the estate's commercial output. The ability to supply a major UK grocer points to established infrastructure, quality-assurance systems and the capacity to meet retailer audit requirements.

• Recorded supplier to  Morrisons

Operator

Lugoda is operated by Unilever Tea Tanzania, the Tanzanian arm of Unilever's global tea division. Unilever, historically one of the largest tea companies in the world through brands including Lipton and PG Tips, maintains direct estate operations in several origin countries. Unilever Tea Tanzania operates three other estates recorded in our directory, indicating a significant production footprint in the country. This scale of operation typically enables centralised processing, shared agronomic expertise and direct access to international supply chains.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

LUGODA lies at -8.5909, 35.2928 in Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of. Its 1963 m elevation is the joint 1st highest of 6 estates we map in Iringa. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• KIBWELE — under 1 km away
• KILIMA — under 1 km away
• Itona Tea Estate — 22 km away · Itona- Mufindi
• Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory- Njombe — 66 km away · Ninga
• Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory — 66 km away · Ninga

Estates at a Similar Altitude to LUGODA

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match LUGODA (1,963 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. LUGODA recorded 1,215 mm in 2025, 30% less than the 1,747 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
Shagasha Tea Factory	Gisuma, Rwanda	1,964 m	1,875 mm	21.2 °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
GATUNGURU	Mathioya, Kenya	1,961 m	1,518 mm	20.9 °C
Kymulot Factory	Bomet - Tenwek - Silibwet Rd, Kenya	1,967 m	1,088 mm	23.3 °C

LUGODA Compared with Iringa

In Iringa, LUGODA is wetter than 60% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 60% of the others by elevation; the coolest of the 6 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets LUGODA against the 5 other estates we map in Iringa, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.

Measure	LUGODA	Region median	Region range
Elevation	1,963 m	1,618 m	1,560 to 1,963 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,215 mm	628 mm	628 to 1,215 mm
Mean daily high	19.4 °C	25.4 °C	19.4 to 25.4 °C
Mean overnight low	11.6 °C	14.7 °C	11.6 to 14.8 °C

Observed Climate at LUGODA (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for LUGODA’s coordinates recorded 1,215 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was January (210 mm) and the driest was August (3 mm). Daytime highs averaged 19.4 °C and overnight lows 11.6 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,215 mm
Wettest month	January (210 mm)
Driest month	August (3 mm)
Mean daily high	19.4 °C
Mean overnight low	11.6 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is LUGODA located?

LUGODA is in Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of, at coordinates -8.5909, 35.2928, at an elevation of about 1963 metres.

Who operates LUGODA?

LUGODA is operated by Unilever Tea Tanzania, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does LUGODA produce?

LUGODA is recorded as producing black and green tea.

Which buyers does LUGODA supply?

Public supplier disclosures record LUGODA as supplying Morrisons.

How much rain does LUGODA receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,215 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in January (210 mm).

How does LUGODA compare with estates at a similar elevation?

LUGODA recorded 1,215 mm in 2025, 30% less rain than the 1,747 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].