In short: Katumba tea estate is a tea producer in the Mbeya region of Tanzania, operating at 1,474 metres elevation and supplying Finlays with black and green teas.
Katumba tea estate is a tea-producing property located in the Mbeya region of Tanzania, approximately 9.2° south of the equator. The estate operates at an elevation of 1,474 metres and is managed by Katumba tea estate. It produces both black and green teas and is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the significant players in the global tea supply chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,474 metres elevation, Katumba sits within a mid-altitude band that typically offers tea producers a balance between yield and leaf quality. Estates at this elevation in East Africa generally experience moderate temperatures with diurnal variation that can slow vegetative growth and encourage the accumulation of secondary metabolites in the leaf. The Mbeya region's position in Tanzania's Southern Highlands typically brings seasonal rainfall patterns that influence the tea-growing cycle, though local microclimates can vary significantly.
This latitude, approximately 9° south of the equator, generally subjects estates to relatively consistent day-length throughout the year, which tends to produce a more even flush cycle compared to higher-latitude origins. Soils in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania are often of volcanic origin, though specific soil composition at Katumba has not been verified. Estates in this region typically contend with both wet and dry seasons, requiring careful agricultural management to maintain quality through periods of lower rainfall.
Tea Produced
Katumba produces both black and green teas. Tanzanian teas from mid-altitude estates such as this typically yield a cup with moderate body and briskness, though character can vary considerably depending on processing and harvest timing. Black teas from the Southern Highlands often exhibit a clean, straightforward profile, while green teas from East African origins tend to be less commonly encountered on the international market. The estate's elevation generally supports a leaf that balances yield with the development of flavour compounds, though specific sensory attributes of Katumba's output have not been independently verified.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Katumba tea estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major integrated tea company with global sourcing, blending, and distribution operations. Finlays' presence as a buyer suggests that Katumba's output meets the quality and traceability standards required by large-scale commercial buyers serving international markets. The connection to a company of Finlays' scale typically indicates that the estate is integrated into established supply chains serving retail brands, food-service clients, and possibly out-of-home markets across multiple geographies.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Katumba tea estate lies at -9.2193, 33.6431 in Mbeya, Tanzania United Republic Of. Its 1474 m elevation is the 11th highest of 16 estates we map in Tanzania United Republic Of. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- KYIMBILA — 7.7 km away · Mbeya region
- MWAKALELI — 16 km away · Mbeya region
- Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory- Njombe — 150 km away · Ninga
- Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory — 150 km away · Ninga
- Itona Tea Estate — 182 km away · Itona- Mufindi
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Katumba tea estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Katumba tea estate (1,474 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Katumba tea estate recorded 2,554 mm in 2025, 28% more than the 1,994 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAMONG TEE EXPORTS PVT LTD | WEST BENGAL, India | 1,472 m | 2,552 mm | 20.3 °C |
| Anshun Royal Tea village tea garden | Guizhou Province, China | 1,477 m | 1,417 mm | 19.4 °C |
| Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. | Suryanelli, India | 1,469 m | 2,210 mm | 22.7 °C |
| Weru Tea Factory | Mariani, Kenya | 1,479 m | 1,001 mm | 23.8 °C |
| Madulsima Plantations, Kew | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,468 m | 2,792 mm | 21.7 °C |
Katumba tea estate Compared with Tanzania United Republic Of
In Tanzania United Republic Of, Katumba tea estate is the wettest of the 16 estates by 2025 rainfall; lower than 67% of the others by elevation; cooler than 73% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Katumba tea estate against the 15 other estates we map in Tanzania United Republic Of, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Katumba tea estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,474 m | 1,611 m | 7 to 1,963 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,554 mm | 1,094 mm | 628 to 1,944 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.1 °C | 21.7 °C | 19.4 to 30.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.1 °C | 14.6 °C | 11.6 to 23.7 °C |
Observed Climate at Katumba tea estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Katumba tea estate’s coordinates recorded 2,554 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was December (422 mm) and the driest was September (3 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.1 °C and overnight lows 14.1 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,554 mm |
| Wettest month | December (422 mm) |
| Driest month | September (3 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Katumba tea estate located?
Katumba tea estate is in Mbeya, Tanzania United Republic Of, at coordinates -9.2193, 33.6431, at an elevation of about 1474 metres.
Who operates Katumba tea estate?
Katumba tea estate is operated by Katumba tea estate, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Katumba tea estate produce?
Katumba tea estate is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Katumba tea estate supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Katumba tea estate as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Katumba tea estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,554 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in December (422 mm).
How does Katumba tea estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Katumba tea estate recorded 2,554 mm in 2025, 28% more rain than the 1,994 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].
